New strategy for better geriatric oral health in Japan: 80/20 Movement andHealthy Japan 21

A review of strategies for better geriatric oral health in Japan is present ed. The rapid growth of the aged population in Japan has been associated wi th the decreasing ability of family caregivers to provide home care due pri marily to immature social support systems. As rural ageing has a stronger l ikelihood of this trend, there is a difference in the oral health of older adults in urban and rural areas. A national survey demonstrated that only 2 9.8% of the adult population in rural areas had at least one dental visit i n the preceding year versus 34.0% in urban areas. Another national survey s howed that the proportions of the elderly with untreated teeth that have de cay and those without any treated teeth in metropolitan areas, urban areas, and rural areas were 6%, 7% and 12%, respectively. Maintaining good oral h ealth is crucial for maintaining quality of life in later years. A survey i n a rural area in Japan demonstrated that, among elderly with nine or fewer natural teeth who wore no dentures, 45% were bed-bound or house-bound. How ever, among those with 10 or more natural teeth, 80% were active and able t o go out alone. Another survey suggested very few house-bound elderly reque sted dental care, although most of them had oral health problems and mastic ation dysfunction. A new strategy, 'Healthy Japan 21' suggests positive act ions to keep 20 or more teeth by the age of 80, and encourages collaboratio n between local health authorities and dental associations to encourage pos itive oral care for the frail elderly including domiciliary dental services within communities.