ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the association between the structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older Brazilians. Methods This cross‐sectional study used baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI‐Brazil), involving 9412 individuals aged 50 years or older. OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) instrument. Social capital was evaluated in two dimensions: structural (volunteer work and participation in social groups) and cognitive (trust in the neighbourhood and perception of friendships). Adjusted Poisson regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results The sample consisted predominantly of women (53.9%), participants of Black or Brown race/skin colour (56.0%), and individuals aged 60 years or older (52.4%); 73.1% had 8 years of education or less. Cognitive social capital was associated with oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL), whereas structural social capital was not. Participants who reported a lack of neighbourhood trust had a higher prevalence of oral impacts than those who trusted their neighbours (PR 1.21, 95% CI 1.13–1.29), and those without friends had a higher prevalence of oral impacts than those with friends (PR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.22). Conclusion The cognitive dimension of social capital is associated with oral health‐related quality of life in older Brazilians. Public health strategies aimed at strengthening social trust and interpersonal networks can be effective in improving oral health outcomes in aging populations.
Introduction Oral health outcomes have not been described in geriatric patients prescribed amphetamines. Case Presentation A 71-year-old male presented with a chief complaint of disintegrating teeth in the setting of daily prescribed amphetamine salts use. Generalized enamel erosions and exposed dentine discoloration were present. Rehabilitation would be an expensive and time-consuming process. Conclusion This case highlights potential oral health risks with prescription stimulant use in the geriatric population for dental provider awareness.
ABSTRACT Background Older adults represent a growing population in whom oral health impairment may affect comfort, nutrition, dignity, social participation, and quality of life. Conventional prosthodontic approaches, often guided by comprehensive rehabilitation, technical refinement, and long‐term restorative ideals, require assessment of present and foreseeable functional, cognitive, and maintenance needs. Objective This commentary discusses minimal‐burden prosthodontics as an application of established gerodontology principles to independent and semi‐dependent community‐dwelling older adults. Discussion The concept does not imply that prosthodontic care can be burden‐free. All prostheses carry biological, functional, temporal, psychological, and maintenance‐related costs, and no prosthesis is permanent. These burdens should be explicitly identified, minimized, and justified by meaningful benefit. Building on rational dental care, geriatric dental assessment, the Seattle Care Pathway, minimal intervention dentistry, and patient‐priorities‐aligned care, comprehensive risk assessment should precede rehabilitation and establish a feasible maintenance plan. Proportional care serves as the ethical principle, prosthodontic sufficiency as the clinical objective, and contingency planning as a practical requirement if later frailty, cognitive decline, or loss of support makes treatment unmaintainable. Homebound patients require explicit arrangements for access and follow‐up. Conclusion When the patient's main wish is to eat comfortably and enjoy daily life, the goal should be the simplest suitable care that achieves that wish.
ABSTRACT Objectives Oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are abnormal findings of the oral mucosa. OMLs can be a localized disease due to trauma or infections, a manifestation of systemic or dermatological disease, or a sign of neoplasia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OMLs among Finnish adults. Methods Dentist‐nurse teams performed clinical oral health examinations among a nationally representative sample of Finnish adults. Sociodemographic characteristics recorded included age and sex. Results 1798 participants (48.1% men, mean age 50.9 years, range 20–91 years) were clinically examined (51.6% participation rate) in 2023. The prevalence estimate of OMLs in the Finnish population was 33.2% (95% CI: 26.8, 40.3) and 6.1% (95% CI: 2.8, 9.4) had more than one OML. The most common finding was an unspecific benign ulcer. The prevalence estimate of oral cancer suspect lesions was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.04, 0.4), red lesions 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2, 1.3) and white lesions 5.7% (95% CI: 4.5, 7.2). There was a higher prevalence of oral cancer suspect or white/red lesions in men than women (age‐adjusted OR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.7, 4.9)). Benign single lesions were more common in the older population. Conclusions One‐third of the Finnish adult population presented with at least one OML. Since neoplasia needs to be ruled out with every OML, this underlines the importance of investigating oral mucosa as a part of every oral/dental examination.
ABSTRACT Background National data on missing teeth, functional dentition, and prosthodontic coverage among older adults in Myanmar remain limited. This study assessed the prevalence of missing teeth and non‐functional dentition, identified their associated factors, and evaluated prosthodontic coverage. Methods This cross‐sectional study was a secondary analysis of Myanmar national oral health survey 2016–2017 data, including 1260 adults aged 60–74 years. The number of missing teeth was calculated by combining WHO codes 4 and 5. Functional dentition was defined as ≥ 20 natural teeth. Linear regression and modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimation were used. Results The mean number of missing teeth was 9.9 (SD 8.7), 46.8% had a non‐functional dentition, and only 6.8% had any denture. After adjustment, participants aged 70–74 years (B: 3.78, 95% CI: 2.68–4.88) and poor self‐rated oral health (B: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.54–4.36) were associated with more missing teeth and higher prevalence of a non‐functional dentition (aPR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.33–1.78 and aPR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.33–1.70, respectively). Never having visited a dentist was associated with a greater burden of both dependent variables. Chewing tobacco use, toothpaste use, and oral pain or discomfort were associated with fewer missing teeth and lower prevalence of a non‐functional dentition. Conclusion Missing teeth and a non‐functional dentition were common among Myanmar older adults, with extremely low prosthodontic coverage. These findings highlight the need to strengthen primary oral healthcare, with greater emphasis on prevention, early care, and access to affordable prosthodontic services.
