care is the aim of this year's Dental Health Week.

Throughout this week speakers and activities are promoting the idea of clean teeth and regular dental check-ups.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said on Monday the Health department "would like to recognise the senior members of the community and raise the awareness of some of their special dental health problems and needs.

"Many seniors believe that dental problems are a normal part of aging. As a result, they do not pay attention to their dental health.'' He added that senior citizens might neglect good dental preventive habits, such as brushing, flossing, use of fluoride toothpaste and good denture care.

"They also tend not to get regular treatment from their dentist to find and fix problems,'' he said.

The main objectives of the week are to raise awareness among seniors that dental health problems can be serious, but can often be prevented and be treated.

The week also hopes to encourage seniors to seek regular care, check-ups every one to two years and whenever a problem becomes apparent.

It also aims to promote good preventative habits among seniors, such as brushing daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing.

And those without teeth should remove their dentures nightly and clean them and their gums.

Senior dental officer Dr. Mark Coulby said: "Bermuda's seniors, like the majority of the population, do have dental care problems. However, seniors tend to perceive them as problems which cannot be prevented. That is a mistake.

"It is our hope that during this week we will get to meet with the Island's seniors and share with them some easy things they can do to help themselves.'' Mr. Edness said background studies in North America showed seniors had a very high incidence of oral health problems.

He stated that common dental problems among older adults with natural teeth included: root cavities, gum disease, saliva problems resulting in dry mouths and more cavities and gum problems.

Some of the problems seniors without natural teeth faced were: broken or poorly fitting dentures, sores on gums, fungal infections, and saliva problems.

"These dental problems can cause different consequences that will affect the day to day functioning of seniors,'' Mr. Edness said.

"Infections, pain, compromised eating and altered diets affecting overall nutrition can all result from these various problems.'' He added that because seniors did not view such problems as important or treatable, they accepted them and avoided good dental preventative habits at home, as well as avoiding seeking treatment regularly, even when they knew something was wrong.

Members of the Bermuda Dental Association are supporting the efforts of the Health Department by participating in workshops and at the free dental screening on Friday.

The week's activities include a session today from 12.30 to 4 p.m. at the St.

George's Community Centre where Dr. Corliss Furbert and Mrs. Roseann Pitcher will speak on dental health and seniors.

Tomorrow from 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a Caregivers Workshop at the Hamilton Firehall.

And on Friday from 12.30 to 3 p.m., there will be free dental and health screening at the Special People's Club, the Anglican Cathedral and the Leopards Club.