EXPERIENCE REPORT: ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION IN INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY PEOPLE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION PROJECT

An academic extension aims at the cultural and scientific educational process and enables the transformative relationship between the academic and society. With physiological aging, the elderly population tends to be more vulnerable to certain diseases. Institutionalized older adults are prone to oral health problems and may be unable to maintain the practice of good personal oral hygiene on their own. The extension ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION IN INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY PEOPLE was guided by professors Marina Lua and Marcondes Cavalcante with students from the 5th to 10th period of the UNIFSA Dentistry course and focused on the interaction of future dental surgeons for special attention and care for the health of the elderly , encouraging the specialization of professionals in geriatric dentistry. The visits, in addition to providing correct oral hygiene guidelines, help diagnose injuries before they worsen or after complete treatment.