Improving the oral health of older people: the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme

The proportion of older people continues to grow worldwide,
especially in developing countries. Non-communicable diseases are fast
becoming the leading causes of disability and mortality, and in coming decades
health and social policy-makers will face tremendous challenges posed by the
rapidly changing burden of chronic diseases in old age. Chronic disease and
most oral diseases share common risk factors. Globally, poor oral health
amongst older people has been particularly evident in high levels of tooth loss,
dental caries experience, and the prevalence rates of periodontal disease,
xerostomia and oral precancer/cancer. The negative impact of poor oral
conditions on the quality of life of older adults is an important public health
issue,