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featuring the TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee
With PrimeSource Healthcare, patients benefit from experienced and caring dental professionals who are sensitive to the special needs of and the importance of dental health in the older patient. PrimeSource-affiliated Dentists use modern portable dental equipment and visit contracted facilities on a regular basis to provide oral care for residents.
Dental Services
Adjustments and Repairs
Indications for Care
PrimeSource Dental Lab
Dentures from PrimeSource Healthcare
TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee
Warranty for Dentures
30-Day, Money Back Guarantee
Dentistry News
Dental Care Myth Busters for Seniors
Diabetes Dental Tips
Elderly in Nursing Homes at a Greater Risk for Dental Problems
Dental Services
- Initial Examinations.
- Periodic Examinations.
- Cleanings.
- Treatment of sores and gum lesions.
- Dentures, full and partial, refitting, reline and/or repair of dentures.
- Palliative treatment to relieve pain.
Please note: PrimeSource Dental Care Teams will make referrals for dental procedures requiring restoration work or extractions
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Adjustments and Repairs
PrimeSource will ensure the necessary adjustments and repairs of dentures and partial dentures.
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Indications for Care
Provided by the PrimeSource DentalCare Team
- Person stops eating.
- Complaints centered on tooth or denture pain.
- Gum infections.
- Oral hygiene problems or discontinues dental hygiene.
- Tartar buildup.
- Person discontinues wearing dentures.
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PrimeSource Dental Lab
Some service providers offer an off-the-shelf solution for dentures. Not at PrimeSource Healthcare. Natural-looking dentures are crafted by our lab technicians to achieve exacting quality standards and customized to meet the unique needs of the patient.
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Dentures from PrimeSource Healthcare
- PrimeSource dentures are stain- and wear-resistant.
- Acrylic base is formed to fit snugly against the jaw line for the best possible fit, function and comfort.
- PrimeSource offers a choice of natural colors for artificial gums.
- PrimeSource dentures are handcrafted from an impression made of the patient’s mouth.
- Acrylic teeth come in a variety of sizes
and shapes to have the look and feel of natural teeth.
- PrimeSource dentures are covered by a 30-day, money back guarantee; a 90-day warranty; and may be subject to the TotalCare Replacement Guarantee (six years in Indiana and eight years in Ohio).*
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TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee for Dentures
In the event a patient's dental prosthesis, regardless of who manufactured or dispensed it, is lost or for any reason broken beyond repair within six years (eight years in Ohio) from the date the prosthetic device was first delivered to the patient, PrimeSource will fit and dispense unlimited replacement dental prosthesis(es) at no cost to the patient, the patient’s family or the facility.*
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Warranty for Dentures
If dentures manufactured by, or for, PrimeSource Healthcare are found defective, please notify PrimeSource within
90 days of the delivery of the item. PrimeSource will repair or replace the item without charge to the patient, the patient’s family or the facility.
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30-Day, Money Back Guarantee
PrimeSource Healthcare will issue a refund for dentures returned for any reason within 30 days from the delivery date.
A full refund (100%) is issued for dentures returned in “like new condition”, and with all accessories. A 10% restocking fee is assessed for dentures not returned in “like-new” condition, or without all
the accessories.
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Dental Care Myth Busters for Seniors
Myth One: Salivary Flow Decreases with Aging.
A common, but inaccurate, stereotype of oral health in seniors is that dry mouth is a natural consequence of aging. Recent studies of healthy seniors show that salivary glands undergo some histologic changes with age; however, the parotid salivary flow rates are stable over all age groups. Dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications and can lead to rampant tooth decay, gum disease and sore mouth. The PrimeSource-affiliated Dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture.
Myth Two: Seniors Should Not Be Concerned About Tooth Decay.
The fact is, seniors should be very concerned about tooth decay. In some populations, tooth decay among seniors is twice that of teenagers! There are several reasons:
- As we age there is less and less nerve tissue in our teeth. This substantially reduces our ability to sense the early signs of tooth decay. There is usually no pain or discomfort until considerable damage has occurred.
- Gum recession is also a contributing factor. As the gums recede, there is more tooth surface to maintain. This newly exposed surface is not covered by enamel, making it more susceptible to tooth decay.
- Seniors are more likely to have decay around older fillings, and because many adults grew up without the benefits of fluoride, they may have many more fillings.
In addition to tooth decay, gum disease (periodontal disease) - often caused by plaque, smoking, badly aligned teeth and poor diets - can cause damage to gums and other supporting tissues which may lead to tooth loss.
Although tooth decay and gum disease are common, they can be controlled. If caught in the early stages by a PrimeSource-affiliated Dentist, the conditions can actually be reversed.
Myth Three: Seniors with Dentures Don’t Need to See a Dentist.
Even if a person no longer has natural teeth, she/he should see the PrimeSource-affiliated Dental Care Team regularly for an oral examination. The Dentist can check for any problem with the gum ridges, the tongue and the joints of the jaw, as well as screen for precancerous or cancerous lesions cancer.
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Diabetes Dental Tips
If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar).Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you do not have enough saliva—the fluid that keeps your mouth wet. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth.
You can keep your teeth and gums healthy. By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing everyday, and visiting the PrimeSource dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth.
If you have diabetes, follow these steps:
- Control your blood glucose.
- Brush and floss every day.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
- Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if your gums are sore.
- Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit.
Take time to check your mouth regularly for any problems. Sometimes people notice that their gums bleed when they brush and floss. Others notice dryness, soreness, white patches or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to visit the PrimeSource dentist.
Remember, good blood glucose control can help prevent mouth problems.
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Elderly in Nursing Homes at Greater Risk for Dental Problems
Elderly people living in nursing homes are at greater risk for oral health problems compared to elderly people living independently, according to a study published in a recent issue of General Dentistry.
Thanks in part to widespread fluoridation, more people than ever before are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. But as people age, medical complications and other factors can negatively affect oral health. Evidence shows that older Americans are at risk for greater oral health problems than other groups because of age and the inability to get to a dentists office due to an existing medical condition or lack of transportation.
According to the report, greater awareness among health care providers and caregivers can do much to ensure the elderly receive good oral health, primarily through assessments of the patient’s mouth.
PrimeSource Healthcare offers a solution for the oral care crisis at long term facilities: On-site dental care. PrimeSource's experienced dentists and technicians provide outstanding care and work closely with facility staff so oral problems can be addressed.
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Career Opportunities • Frequently Asked Questions
*To be eligible for the TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee, a person must reside in a facility contracted with PrimeSource for all four services, consent to all four PrimeSource services and have had initial visits with each PrimeSource-affiliated Provider. TotalCare Guarantee benefits are terminated if a person no longer resides in a contracted facility. PrimeSource Healthcare may seek payment from Medicaid, other insurance or liability when appropriate.
The content of the PrimeSource Healthcare web site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
DentalCare and TotalCare are trademarks of PrimeSource Healthcare Systems, Inc.
©2006 PrimeSource Healthcare Systems, Inc. Information subject to revision.
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