Incheon's Yeongjong-gu District (Mayor Son Hwa-jeong) has newly launched a home-visit oral health care service starting in July this year for vulnerable residents who have difficulty visiting dental clinics due to limited mobility. The district announced on the 30th that it is implementing the 'Visiting Oral Health Care Program for Vulnerable Groups' for the first time this year, targeting local vulnerable groups such as elderly residents who find it difficult to access medical institutions due to old age or chronic illness.
 [The Korean Today] Scene from the visiting oral health care program for vulnerable groups © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
The program was newly introduced this year to fill gaps in oral health management for vulnerable groups and help detect and prevent oral diseases at an early stage. It aims to promote residents' health and improve their quality of life.
Under the program, medical staff — including dentists, dental hygienists and visiting nurses from the Yeongjong-gu District Public Health Center (Director Jeong Han-suk) — directly visit the homes of vulnerable residents who have difficulty visiting dental clinics due to old age or chronic illness to provide oral care support. After assessing each recipient's oral health condition, the medical staff provide individually tailored services, including oral hygiene management methods, denture care, proper tooth-brushing techniques and ways to prevent dry mouth.
The program targets vulnerable groups in need of oral health care among those registered with Yeongjong-gu's home health care program. The district's visiting health care office and oral health care office will work together to identify recipients and provide systematic services.
 [The Korean Today] Oral care service being provided under the home-visit oral health care program © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
One recipient of the service said, "Even my own children couldn't do this much for me, but public health center staff came all the way to my home, examined me thoroughly, and even provided various supplies for oral care, which I'm grateful for," adding, "I want to keep managing my oral health steadily to stay healthy going forward."
Jeong Han-suk, director of the Yeongjong-gu District Public Health Center, said, "Oral health is a critical factor directly linked to nutritional intake and overall health, but vulnerable groups with limited mobility often find it difficult to receive proper care." She added, "Through this program, we will do our best to support the oral health and healthy aging of residents who have fallen into medical blind spots."
The Yeongjong-gu District Public Health Center plans to continue expanding integrated health care services going forward to improve health equity and promote health among vulnerable groups in the local community.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
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