Dental Prosthetic Status, Needs, and Oral Frailty in Aging Population: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

Aims This study’s objective is to evaluate the current status of dental prosthetics, identify prosthetic needs, and the prevalence of oral frailty within the geriatric population in Egypt.
Instrument & Methods The study recruited 258 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older from residential homes in Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Collected data included demographic information, medical history, oral hygiene, prosthetic status and needs, and scores on the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8). Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and multinomial logistic regression, were utilized to evaluate the associations among prosthetic status, prosthetic needs, and oral frailty.
Findings The analysis revealed that a very high percentage (79.8%) of participants were at an elevated risk for oral frailty. More than half the participants needed prosthetic rehabilitation, but many did not have access to suitable dental care. Factors including advanced age, chronic diseases, cigarette smoking, and poor oral hygiene were significantly linked to increased prosthetic needs. In contrast, place of residence and income level were not found to be significant predictors.
Conclusion This study underscores the high prevalence of oral frailty and substantial unmet prosthetic needs among older adults in Egypt. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive geriatric dental care that incorporates prosthetic treatment. Such interventions are vital for preventing the progression of oral frailty and preserving quality of life in this aging population.