Changes in Older Adults' Oral Health and Disparities: 1999 to 2004 and 2011 to 2016.

Objectives: To examine changes in tooth loss and untreated tooth decay among older low-income and higher-income US adults and whether disparities have persisted.

Design: Sequential cross-sectional study using nationally representative data.

Setting: The 1999 to 2004 and 2011 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Burden of oral disease among older adults and implications for public health priorities.

Dental disease is largely preventable. Many older adults, however, experience poor oral health. National data for older adults show racial/ethnic and income disparities in untreated dental disease and oral health-related quality of life.