Oral health changes in seniors over a 9-year period: results of the 6th German Oral Health Study (DMS • 6).

OBJECTIVES

Oral health is a key determinant of overall wellbeing and general health, particularly in seniors who are often affected by multimorbidity and polypharmacy and may also require nursing care. The German Oral Health Studies (DMS) are population-representative epidemiologic surveys that assess oral health in Germany. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence, incidence, and progression of oral diseases in seniors using longitudinal data from the DMS • 6 cohort.

METHOD AND MATERIALS: The longitudinal analyses were based on data from 373 individuals who had previously participated in DMS V in 2014 as 65- to 74-year-olds (baseline) and were reexamined in 2023 as 73- to 82-year-olds (follow-up). Data on social demographics, disability, need for care, morbidity, oral functional capacity, and oral diseases were collected through social science interviews and clinical examinations.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants at baseline and follow-up was 69.4 ± 2.9 years and 78.3 ± 3.0 years, respectively. From baseline to follow-up, the mean number of missing teeth (excluding third molars) and incidence of edentulism increased. Furthermore, the number of replaced and unreplaced missing teeth both increased, and the mean number of missing teeth replaced with removable dentures increased. The caries incidence increased slightly, and periodontal health deteriorated. The number of teeth with probing depth (PD) ≥ 4 mm increased, whereas that of teeth with PD ≥ 6 mm remained unchanged. The proportion of participants requiring nursing care increased, and control-oriented dental service utilization decreased.

CONCLUSION

Seniors lost approximately two teeth during the 9-year observation period. However, many teeth were retained at an advanced age. The challenges faced by people in higher ages are not limited to dental therapy but are complemented by lifelong dental care. Implementing preventive dental requirements during disease-related transition processes in senior women and men is challenging for the dental profession, as good oral health despite frailty and care needs must in part also be organized and ensured outside the dental practice. (Quintessence Int 2026;57(Suppl):S66-S75; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6955454).