Muldimensional approach of oral health in older adults: an urgent need
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Abstract
Introduction: oral health has been widely recognized as a key part of general health due to its role in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of many non-comunicable diseases, as well as its impact on it´s own in the population’s wellbeing and quality of life. This is particularly significant for older adults, because of the natural processes associated with aging and the resulting systematic vulnerability; added to the rising demand for health care services o this group that is growing steadily because of demographic transition.
Objective: the aim of this article is to synthesize information of the literature regarding to the importance of addressing oral health in older adults, from a multidimensional perspective.
Metodology: a narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed database, including articles publishisng between 2019 to 2026, covering topics such as oral health and aging, oral health and frailty, oral microbioma and systemic diseases and the epidemiology of oral health in older adults; also international documents regarding global oral health guidelines and strategies and the management of non comunicable diseases.
Results: we included 23 reviews and 3 articles based on association studies.
Conclusion: in this regard, this article promotes a holistic view of oral health and its bidirectional relationship with general health, underscoring the importance of a comprenhensive approach of patient care based on a collaborative and intedisciplinary work, factors contributing the effective strategic management of health care.
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