TY - JOUR
T1 - Geroscience
T2 - Aging and Oral Health Research
AU - Weintraub, J. A.
AU - Kaeberlein, M.
AU - Perissinotto, C.
AU - Atchison, K. A.
AU - Chen, X.
AU - D’Souza, R. N.
AU - Feine, J. S.
AU - Ghezzi, E. M.
AU - Kirkwood, K. L.
AU - Ryder, M.
AU - Slashcheva, L. D.
AU - Touger-Decker, R.
AU - Wu, B.
AU - Kapila, Y.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© International & American Associations for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research 2023.
PY - 2023/11
Y1 - 2023/11
N2 - Research in aging has significantly advanced; scientists are now able to identify interventions that slow the biologic aging processes (i.e., the “hallmarks of aging”), thus delaying the onset and progression of multiple diseases, including oral conditions. Presentations given during the 3-part session “Geroscience: Aging and Oral Health Research,” held during the 2023 American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research meeting, are summarized in this publication. Speakers’ topics spanned the translational research spectrum. Session 1 provided an overview of the geroscience and health span (disease-free and functional health throughout life) concepts. The common molecular mechanisms between oral cancer and aging were discussed, and research was presented that showed periodontal microflora as a potential factor in Alzheimer’s disease progression. Session 2 focused on behavioral and social science aspects of aging and their oral health significance. The keynote provided evidence that loneliness and isolation can have major health effects. These social conditions, along with poor oral health, tooth loss, and cognitive decline, could potentially affect healthy eating ability and systemic health in older adults. Research could help elucidate the directions and pathways connecting these seemingly disparate conditions. Session 3 focused on the delivery of oral care in different settings and the many barriers to access care faced by older adults. Research is needed to identify and implement effective technology and strategies to improve access to dental care, including new delivery and financing mechanisms, workforce models, interprofessional provider education and practice, and use of big data from medical–dental integration of electronic health records. Research to improve the “oral health span,” reduce oral health disparities, and increase health equity must be tackled at all levels from biologic pathways to social determinants of health and health policies.
AB - Research in aging has significantly advanced; scientists are now able to identify interventions that slow the biologic aging processes (i.e., the “hallmarks of aging”), thus delaying the onset and progression of multiple diseases, including oral conditions. Presentations given during the 3-part session “Geroscience: Aging and Oral Health Research,” held during the 2023 American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research meeting, are summarized in this publication. Speakers’ topics spanned the translational research spectrum. Session 1 provided an overview of the geroscience and health span (disease-free and functional health throughout life) concepts. The common molecular mechanisms between oral cancer and aging were discussed, and research was presented that showed periodontal microflora as a potential factor in Alzheimer’s disease progression. Session 2 focused on behavioral and social science aspects of aging and their oral health significance. The keynote provided evidence that loneliness and isolation can have major health effects. These social conditions, along with poor oral health, tooth loss, and cognitive decline, could potentially affect healthy eating ability and systemic health in older adults. Research could help elucidate the directions and pathways connecting these seemingly disparate conditions. Session 3 focused on the delivery of oral care in different settings and the many barriers to access care faced by older adults. Research is needed to identify and implement effective technology and strategies to improve access to dental care, including new delivery and financing mechanisms, workforce models, interprofessional provider education and practice, and use of big data from medical–dental integration of electronic health records. Research to improve the “oral health span,” reduce oral health disparities, and increase health equity must be tackled at all levels from biologic pathways to social determinants of health and health policies.
KW - cognitive dysfunction
KW - delivery of health care
KW - loneliness
KW - nutritional status
KW - periodontal diseases
KW - tooth loss
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85176466835&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85176466835&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/08959374231200840
DO - 10.1177/08959374231200840
M3 - Article
C2 - 37933846
AN - SCOPUS:85176466835
SN - 0895-9374
VL - 31
SP - 2
EP - 15
JO - Advances in dental research
JF - Advances in dental research
IS - 1
ER -