Oral health for older people

Summaries of three studies into issues of concern for older people's nurses

Compared with previous generations, more older people have retained some or all of their teeth, but more than 40% of community-dwelling older people aged 75 and over have unmet oral health needs. Poor oral health is associated with physical ill health, admission to long-term care, reduced quality of life and increased infection risk (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2016).

• RELATED: Read Nursing Older People's series on the importance of good oral health as a fundamental care intervention

However, the importance of oral health can be undervalued by healthcare professionals and older people. Three studies relating to oral health for older people are summarised.