Oral Health for an Ageing Population
The world’s population is ageing, and it is predicted that by 2050, 25% of the world’s population – 2 billion people – will be aged over 60 years. A fifth of these – 400 million – will be aged over 80 years. Epidemiological studies show that older persons are particularly affected by poor oral health, with negative consequences on their general health.
By 2050, 25% of the world's population – 2 billion people – will be aged over 60 years.
Diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, dry mouth or oral cancer affect their chewing function and nutritional intake, as well as their ability to interact socially, thus leading to a drastic decrease in quality of life or even death.
Staying healthy into old age with the support of oral health professionals
The Oral Health for an Ageing Population (OHAP) project was launched in 2015 to strengthen the role of the oral health community in achieving healthy longevity. The project pushes for oral health challenges to be addressed in broader disease policies and health promotion strategies for ageing populations. OHAP aims to ensure that people not only live longer lives but healthier ones too, free of oral diseases, to secure their overall health and well-being. A conference dedicated to the subject is organized every two years.
Project goals
Advocate for oral health challenges to be addressed in broader health policies for ageing populations
Promote research on oral health in ageing populations and leverage opportunities for improved oral disease prevention and treatment strategies
Evaluate the state of oral healthcare policies at the national, regional and global levels, and provide practical solutions to the challenges identified for older adults
Oral Health for An Ageing Population project is currently supported by GC International.
Resources
Statements
- FDI statement on a life course approach to healthy ageing at the 69th World Health Assembly
- FDI Policy Statement on life-long oral health presented at 2017 World Dental Congress in Madrid
International Dental Journal supplement
Symposia
- Symposium on ‘Oral health for an ageing population’ at 2016 World Dental Congress in Poznan
- Symposium on Improving Elders’ Oral Health by Clinical Actions at the 2017 World Dental Congress in Madrid
