Oral health care for older adults: UNE’s Marilyn Gugliucci shares expertise on “Maine Calling”

Marilyn Gugilucci

Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., professor and director of Geriatrics Education and Research in the 91ֱƵ College of Osteopathic Medicine, was a speaker on ѱʵ’s “Maine Calling.” The episode focused on the importance of oral health.

Gugliucci shared her expertise on oral health for older adults. She said that in addition to the link between oral hygiene and disease, poor dental health also affects a person’s quality of life. “I think one of the critical factors here as well, and it may not sound important but it is, is the ability to smile freely,” Gugliucci said.

She also discussed the MOTIVATE project (Maine’s Oral Team-based Initiative: Vital Access To Education). She is a the lead researcher on the innovative pilot program, which provides funding to establish education and training in older adult oral health care for nursing home administrators, staff and family members

The other dental health experts on the show commended UNE’s College of Dental Medicine for educating the next generation of dentists.

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About the 91ֱƵ

The 91ֱƵ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.