Oral Frailty's Impact on Systemic Health in Aging Populations

The ageing population faces distinct health challenges, and oral health is a critical determinant of overall well-being. Poor oral health reduces quality of life and is associated with multimorbidity, medication-related problems (including xerostomia from polypharmacy), and markers of geriatric syndromes such as frailty. In settings with high HIV prevalence, ageing-related conditions often appear earlier and add to the burden on oral- and general-health–related quality of life. International policy now recognises oral health as integral to healthy ageing and universal health coverage: the UN/WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) and the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030) call for integrated, person-centred approaches to healthy ageing. This special issue will examine oral health across the life course in older adults, its links to systemic disease, and policy and care strategies to promote equitable healthy ageing.The growing burden of oral diseases among older adults represents a pressing global health issue: as populations age, more people retain their natural teeth but also face higher risks of caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and complications associated with dry mouth. These oral conditions are deeply linked to systemic health issues (CVD, diabetes, cognitive decline), and exacerbate frailty, nutritional deficits, and poorer quality of life. However, oral health is often not integrated into the standard of health care services. This makes access inequitable, especially in low- and middle-income settings. The goal of this Research Topic is to advance understanding and practice in integrating oral health into healthy ageing frameworks. This includes developing and validating indicators for monitoring integration into Universal Health Coverage, exploring care models such as teledentistry and interprofessional practice, and assessing innovations in prevention, early detection, and community-based interventions. For instance, recent work has identified 54 indicators relevant to integrating oral health into universal healthcare. Furthermore, trials comparing non-surgical treatments, such as silver diamine fluoride versus atraumatic restorative treatment, in older adults have shown promise in arresting tooth decay where conventional services are limited. Through collaborative research, policy development, and innovative care delivery, we aim to reduce disparities, strengthen health systems, and improve QoL in ageing populations.This Research Topic invites contributions that advance understanding of oral health in ageing populations from clinical, public health, and policy perspectives. We welcome studies addressing the links between:• oral health and systemic conditions• the impact of multimorbidity• polypharmacy and frailty• the unique challenges faced by people ageing with HIV. Submissions may also explore models for integrating oral health into universal health coverage, as well as community-based and digital innovations in care delivery, preventive strategies, and approaches to reduce health inequities. We particularly encourage interdisciplinary perspectives that highlight opportunities for collaboration across dentistry, medicine, nursing, gerontology, and health systems research. Together, these contributions will shape an evidence base for improving oral health and promoting healthy ageing worldwide. Topic editors: Ruchadaporn Kaomongkolgit, Deusdedit Tusubira, NORMALIZA AB MALIK Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77523/oral-frailtys-impact-on-systemic-health-in-aging-populations