Oral Frailty, Dental Visits, and Healthy Life Expectancy: A 6-Year Prospective Cohort Among Japanese Older Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Oral frailty (OF), a comprehensive oral function decline, is linked to health deterioration in older adults. The impact of OF and dental visits on healthy life expectancy (HLE) remains underexplored. This study examined the association between OF, dental visits, and HLE.

Methods

This prospective cohort study used data from the 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES), including independent older adults aged ≥ 65 at baseline, with follow-up through March 2023 using disability and mortality records from the national long-term care insurance database (median follow-up = 6.2 years). OF was defined as having ≥ 3 of the following: fewer teeth, chewing difficulty, swallowing difficulty, dry mouth, and speaking difficulty. Recent dental visits at baseline were assessed

SUBMITTER: Khairinisa S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12719132 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature