Exploring the relationship between oral frailty and nutritional status
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the relationship between oral function and nutritional status in adults aged 65 and over living in the community
IRAS ID
371001
Contact name
Gerald McKenna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Enterprise Directorate, Queen's University Belfast
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 28 days
Research summary
Globally, the population is ageing and there is an increase in the partially dentate older population driven by increasing levels of natural tooth retention. Whilst this represents a huge positive for older adults’ oral health, this does bring the challenges of preventing and managing chronic dental diseases in older adults. Older adults present complex nutritional challenges including a high prevalence of malnutrition. Whilst significant attention is directed towards prevention and management of malnutrition, the nutritional interventions provided can contribute to dental caries Many older adults consume high energy density foods and beverages which are high in sugars to provide maximum caloric intake. Additionally, many older adults receive frequent oral nutritional supplements which are often delivered in a sugared suspension thus further promoting development of dental disease. Previously, when most older adults were edentate these nutritional practices had few consequences for oral health, however changing oral epidemiology means that these practices now directly contribute to dental caries and poor oral health in partially dentate patients. Thus, poor oral health resulting in the loss of any remaining natural teeth will further compound nutritional challenges. In 2023, as part of the FDI Oral Health for an Ageing Population (OHAP) project, two new resources were developed to promote older adults’ oral health, including the FDI Frailty Guide and an oral function exercises brochure. Description of this condition means that preventative care can be planned for older adults to ensure that their oral health status does not continue to decline. Whilst these resources have been very well received, the links between oral frailty and nutritional status have not been explored. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between oral frailty and nutritional status in independent older adults using the FDI Frailty Guide and a series of validated nutritional status measures.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0119
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion