{"id":11095,"date":"2018-09-06T11:22:29","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T16:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.wnpt.org\/mediaupdate\/?p=11095"},"modified":"2018-09-18T16:12:11","modified_gmt":"2018-09-18T21:12:11","slug":"dental-health-premiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.wnpt.org\/mediaupdate\/2018\/09\/06\/dental-health-premiere\/","title":{"rendered":"NPT’s ‘Aging Matters: Dental Health’ premieres Sept. 27 at 8 p.m."},"content":{"rendered":"

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Aging Matters: Dental Health<\/a>, <\/strong> the twelfth documentary in Nashville Public Television\u2019s NPT Reports: Aging Matters<\/strong><\/a> series, premieres Thursday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tennessee ranks 49th in oral health for older adults and almost half of Tennesseans over 65 . Older adults are often susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay, which can affect their general health and quality of life. Aging Matters: Dental Health <\/strong>explores explores how oral health affects overall health and how seniors will access dental care, particularly if they lack insurance.<\/p>\n

Poor oral health can lead to increased risk of serious health problems, including heart disease and complications in controlling diabetes. The good news is that dentistry has come a long way in the last century, and today\u2019s seniors are maintaining their natural teeth longer than in the past.<\/p>\n

The broadcast premiere of Aging Matters: Dental Health<\/strong> will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Holly Plemons, senior program director for Interfaith Dental Clinic\u2019s SMILE ON 60+; Dr. Michele Blackledge, dental director of Neighborhood Health in Middle Tennessee; Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi, CEO of Interfaith Dental Clinic; and Bruce Sites, executive director of Friends in Need based in Kingsport, Tenn.<\/p>\n