Oral health and nutrition in older adults

Abstract

The global rise in the aging population underscores the need to address nutrition and oral health, which are closely interconnected. Poor oral health can impair dietary intake, while malnutrition may worsen oral conditions. This thesis explores these relationships through two projects: (1) a scoping review of UK care home guidelines on nutrition and oral health, and (2) an analysis of the DENHAB study dataset involving community-dwelling older adults receiving prosthetic treatment and dietary intervention.
The scoping review systematically examined 12 UK care home guidelines considering both oral health and nutrition. This revealed fragmented and inconsistent integration of oral health and nutrition in care practices. Most guidelines lacked interdisciplinary approaches and practical strategies to support carers in maintaining residents’ oral and nutritional health. These findings highlight the need for clearer, more comprehensive policies and the development of integrated care models.
The second project analysed data from older adults with partial edentulism who underwent oral rehabilitation and received dietary interventions focused on increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Dietary intake was measured using 4-day food diaries, validated through biochemical markers, serum carotenoids and plasma vitamin C. The analysis also examined the influence of oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14 questionnaires) and prosthodontic status.
Significant increases in FV intake were observed in the intervention group at 6 weeks (+1.80 portions/day, p = 0.001) and 4 months (+2.10 portions/day, p = 0.001), with a slight decline by 8 months after baseline. These changes correlated with increased β-carotene (R = 0.487, p = 0.025) and vitamin C (R = 0.508, p = 0.026). No significant differences were found based on baseline OHIP-14 scores or prosthodontic status.
This research underscores the importance of integrated strategies in both institutional and community settings to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life in older adults.

Thesis embargoed until 31st July 2026.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Gerry McKenna (Supervisor) & Jayne Woodside (Supervisor)