Oral health is important to the overall well-being of older Americans. Preventive dental care can head off more expensive dental work and help prevent severe diseases. Unfortunately, dental costs are primarily out-of-pocket for those over 65, and when financially strapped, they may forego regular visits to the dentist. This decision to "do without" can have serious consequences, because the elderly suffer a disproportionate and debilitating amount of oral disease.

With the aging of the population, experts warn that Alzheimer's disease will reach epidemic proportions by mid-century, creating massive and unsustainable burdens in terms of health care costs, overwhelmed families, and millions of lives tragically lost to a devastating disease.