International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Apr 21, 2026

Oral Function, Frailty and Mortality in Older Adults: Evidence from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016-2017

By Sáenz-Ravello G, Baeza M, Sáenz-Ravello L et al.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is an often-overlooked component of healthy ageing, as a sign of cumulative functional decline. This study explored the association between oral functional status and all-cause mortality. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the 2016-2017 Chilean National Health Survey linked to mortality records through December 31, 2022. In total, 223 participants aged ≥ 60 years were included (N = 1,016,557). Minimum dentition (MD) was defined as ≥10 teeth, prosthesis use was self-reported, and frailty was assessed using a modified Fried phenotype. Survey-weighted Cox models estimated associations with all-cause mortality, adjusting for age, sex, area, education, frailty, diabetes, and hypertension. RESULTS: In the survey-weighted Cox model, each category representing MD and/or prosthesis use was associated with lower mortality hazards compared with the reference group (<10 teeth and no prostheses): prostheses only (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.61), MD only (HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04-0.74), and MD with prostheses (HR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.46). Increasing age and rural residence were associated with higher mortality hazards, whereas estimates for sex, education, frailty, diabetes and hypertension were imprecise and generally compatible with no clear association. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are hypothesis-generating and support further evaluation of oral functional status as a marker of broader health vulnerability in aged Chileans.

doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23040538Open accessPubMed 42074474Populations