Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice Program

America is "graying." Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age. As a result, the United States will experience a dramatic increase in the number of elders in the coming years. In addition, advances in medical and public health care are leading to longer life expectancies. The most dramatic increase is expected in the oldest-old. The 85+ age group is projected to rise from 4 million to 18 million by 2050, with an estimated 1 million Americans reaching the age of 100. Academic institutions must respond to this trend by preparing their health professional students to care for geriatric patients.