Suboptimal Oral Health, Multimorbidity, and Access to Dental Care.

Introduction: Emerging studies on the links between suboptimal oral health and multimorbidity (MM), or the co-existence of multiple chronic conditions, have raised controversy as to whether enhancing access to dental care may mitigate MM in those with suboptimal oral health. In this study, we aim to assess the extent of the association between suboptimal oral health and MM and whether access to dental care can modify this association.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) (N = 44,815, 45 to 84 y old).

Age and sex differences in the association of dental visits with inadequate oral health and multimorbidity: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

Background: Dental attendance is important for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases. In this study, we aimed to assess the extent of the association between dental visits, inadequate oral health, and multimorbidity (MM), and whether this association differs by age and sex.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the first follow-up wave (2018) of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).