Oral Frailty: An Emerging Concept in Geriatric Dentistry and Its Implications for Healthy Aging.

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Auteur principal: Dr. LakshmanaRao Bathala, Dr. G. Sirisha, Kundanaveni, Dr. K. Bhanuprasad and Dr. A. Sathvika
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Publié: Zenodo 2026
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author Dr. LakshmanaRao Bathala, Dr. G. Sirisha, Kundanaveni, Dr. K. Bhanuprasad and Dr. A. Sathvika
author_facet Dr. LakshmanaRao Bathala, Dr. G. Sirisha, Kundanaveni, Dr. K. Bhanuprasad and Dr. A. Sathvika
contents <p><strong><span>Abstract</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Background:</span></strong><span> </span><span>The relationship between dental health and physical weakness has drawn more attention as the world's population ages. The term "oral frailty," which first appeared in Japan in 2014, describes a multidimensional, age-related deterioration in oral function that puts older persons at risk for poor systemic health outcomes. Oral frailty shares important syndromic characteristics, such as several concurrent functional domains, shared causes, and predictable effects, even though it is not formally recognized as a syndrome in the traditional sense. As a result, it is becoming more necessary to identify and treat oral frailty.</span></p> <p><strong><span>The goal:</span></strong><span> </span><span>To provide a thorough explanation of oral frailty's definition, historical roots, signs and symptoms, clinical significance in dentistry, available assessment instruments (with a special emphasis on the Oral Frailty 5-Item Checklist [OF-5]), and evidence-based treatments.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Methods:</span></strong><span> </span><span>Using key phrases such "oral frailty," "oral hypofunction," "OF-5," "OFI-8," "gerodontology," and "frailty interventions," a systematic literature review was carried out via PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to February 2025.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Results:</span></strong><span> </span><span>A multifaceted reduction in oral structure and function that co-occurs with physical, cognitive, and social deterioration is a characteristic of oral frailty that is consistent with a geriatric syndrome. The Joint Working Committee on Oral Frailty in Japan made the initial formal proposal for it in 2014. Oral fragility is defined as the presence of two or more of five criteria: less than 20 natural teeth, chewing difficulty, swallowing trouble, dry mouth, and low articulatory oral motor abilities. Tanaka et al. (2023) developed the OF-5, one of several validated evaluation methods. About 40% of older persons who live in the community test positive. Dental rehabilitation, oral motor exercises, nutritional support, saliva control, and interprofessional collaboration are among the interventions aimed at oral frailty.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Conclusion:</span></strong><span> </span><span>Oral fragility is a clinically significant syndrome that can be reversed in its early stages and is associated with physical frailty, disability, and mortality. Without the need for specialized dental equipment, the OF-5 allows for quick, setting-independent testing. To detect, treat, and stop the advancement of oral fragility in elderly people, dental and medical professionals must work together proactively.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Key words:</span></strong><span> </span><span>Oral frailty, Oral hypofunction, Gerodontology, Oral Frailty Index, Frailty interventions.</span></p>
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spellingShingle Oral Frailty: An Emerging Concept in Geriatric Dentistry and Its Implications for Healthy Aging.
Dr. LakshmanaRao Bathala, Dr. G. Sirisha, Kundanaveni, Dr. K. Bhanuprasad and Dr. A. Sathvika
Oral frailty, Oral hypofunction, Gerodontology, Oral Frailty Index, Frailty interventions.
<p><strong><span>Abstract</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Background:</span></strong><span> </span><span>The relationship between dental health and physical weakness has drawn more attention as the world's population ages. The term "oral frailty," which first appeared in Japan in 2014, describes a multidimensional, age-related deterioration in oral function that puts older persons at risk for poor systemic health outcomes. Oral frailty shares important syndromic characteristics, such as several concurrent functional domains, shared causes, and predictable effects, even though it is not formally recognized as a syndrome in the traditional sense. As a result, it is becoming more necessary to identify and treat oral frailty.</span></p> <p><strong><span>The goal:</span></strong><span> </span><span>To provide a thorough explanation of oral frailty's definition, historical roots, signs and symptoms, clinical significance in dentistry, available assessment instruments (with a special emphasis on the Oral Frailty 5-Item Checklist [OF-5]), and evidence-based treatments.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Methods:</span></strong><span> </span><span>Using key phrases such "oral frailty," "oral hypofunction," "OF-5," "OFI-8," "gerodontology," and "frailty interventions," a systematic literature review was carried out via PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to February 2025.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Results:</span></strong><span> </span><span>A multifaceted reduction in oral structure and function that co-occurs with physical, cognitive, and social deterioration is a characteristic of oral frailty that is consistent with a geriatric syndrome. The Joint Working Committee on Oral Frailty in Japan made the initial formal proposal for it in 2014. Oral fragility is defined as the presence of two or more of five criteria: less than 20 natural teeth, chewing difficulty, swallowing trouble, dry mouth, and low articulatory oral motor abilities. Tanaka et al. (2023) developed the OF-5, one of several validated evaluation methods. About 40% of older persons who live in the community test positive. Dental rehabilitation, oral motor exercises, nutritional support, saliva control, and interprofessional collaboration are among the interventions aimed at oral frailty.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Conclusion:</span></strong><span> </span><span>Oral fragility is a clinically significant syndrome that can be reversed in its early stages and is associated with physical frailty, disability, and mortality. Without the need for specialized dental equipment, the OF-5 allows for quick, setting-independent testing. To detect, treat, and stop the advancement of oral fragility in elderly people, dental and medical professionals must work together proactively.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Key words:</span></strong><span> </span><span>Oral frailty, Oral hypofunction, Gerodontology, Oral Frailty Index, Frailty interventions.</span></p>
title Oral Frailty: An Emerging Concept in Geriatric Dentistry and Its Implications for Healthy Aging.
topic Oral frailty, Oral hypofunction, Gerodontology, Oral Frailty Index, Frailty interventions.
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19200555