Journal of Dentistry · Apr 21, 2026

Trends and life-course trajectories in the burden of oral frailty from midlife to later life: a 13-year population-based study in Korea

By Go H, Kim EK, Kuboniwa M et al.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated temporal trends and life-course trajectories in the burden of oral frailty (OF) and severe oral frailty (SOF) in Korea. METHODS: Adults aged ≥40 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2019 were included. OF (≥2 components) and SOF (≥3 components) were defined across four domains: number of teeth, chewing ability, pronunciation, and oral hygiene. Crude and age-standardized prevalence estimates were calculated. Age-period-cohort (APC) effects were assessed using survey-weighted logistic regression. Joinpoint regression were evaluated to derive average annual percent change (AAPC). RESULTS: The survey-weighted prevalence OF declined from 22.71 % to 18.93 %, and SOF from 9.91 % to 7.26 % among Korean adults aged ≥40 years (AAPC: OF -5.64 %, SOF -7.11 %; p < 0.05). Age-standardized prevalence also declined from 20.89 % to 15.72 % for OF, and from 8.92 % to 5.83 % for SOF. Cohort-by-period analyses revealed that the 1962-1965 birth cohort showed a significant increase in OF between 2007 and 2015, and in SOF between 2007 and 2019. Age-by-cohort analyses indicated rising prevalence among individuals in their 40s-50 s, contrasting with declining patterns in older cohorts (p < 0.001). APC model showed consistent age and cohort effects, but weaker period effects. CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall burden OF and SOF has declined in Korea, increasing prevalence during midlife highlights the 40s-50 s as a critical window for preventive intervention along the frailty trajectory. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite overall reductions in the burden of oral frailty, the rising prevalence among individuals in midlife underscores the importance of early detection and preventive oral health strategies in adults in their 40 s and 50 s. Targeted interventions during this critical life stage may help delay progression to severe oral frailty and reduce long-term functional disability in later life.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106714PubMed 42025904Populations