The Dental Elder Abuse Response (D.E.A.R.) Project is a joint pilot project of Archer Dental (West Toronto), the Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL), and the National Initiative for Care of the Elderly (Dental Theme Team). D.E.A.R. is funded through a small community-based grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) – Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
This project is creating the first materials in Canada which link dentists, caregivers and older adults together on issues of abuse and neglect. Working with dentists, hygienists, seniors, caregivers and community organizations, the D.E.A.R. Project is “Taking the Bite out of Elder Abuse”. Its senior peer-trained workshops, online videos, helpful brochures and checklists provide practical, evidence-based and expert hands-on material to recognize and prevent dental elder abuse and neglect. These materials also help to start the conversation about advance care planning related to dental issues. The content and tools we developed are designed to help caregivers take an active role in promoting the dental health of the seniors that they care for. We are seeing that this simple idea is having a BIG impact. Many caregivers just did not know how to brush another person’s teeth effectively and now can learn online through D.E.A.R.
How can you help?
- Become a peer-trainer, watch our short online videos, schedule a workshop, and download our free brochures and checklists!
- Become a member of the NICE Network’s Dental Theme Team
- Join us on social media for project updates and share your ideas