UCSF

Population ageing is a global phenomenon and is predicted to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century. The anticipated demographic shift provides governments the opportunity to proactively align policies with the estimated demands for housing, transportation, social protection, and health and well-being. Oral health is a fundamental component of health and physical and mental well-being, and is influenced by the individual's changing experience, perceptions, expectations and ability to adapt to circumstances. As such, prevention of oral disease and maintenance of oral health contributes to the systemic health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults. Dental caries, periodontal disease, and tooth loss in older adults are global health concerns because they are highly prevalent worldwide, socio-economic inequalities contribute to these diseases, many of the risk factors are modifiable, and these diseases result in compromised oral health-related quality of life. Oral care must be tailored to the needs and level of dependency of older adults through the use of evidence-based approaches and inter-professional collaboration. The persistence of between countries and within countries oral health disparities indicate that population-based policies are also needed to address the underlying social, environmental, and economic causes of oral diseases.