Geroscience: Aging and Oral Health Research.

Research in aging has significantly advanced; scientists are now able to identify interventions that slow the biologic aging processes (i.e., the "hallmarks of aging"), thus delaying the onset and progression of multiple diseases, including oral conditions. Presentations given during the 3-part session "Geroscience: Aging and Oral Health Research," held during the 2023 American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research meeting, are summarized in this publication. Speakers' topics spanned the translational research spectrum. Session 1 provided an overview of the geroscience and health span (disease-free and functional health throughout life) concepts. The common molecular mechanisms between oral cancer and aging were discussed, and research was presented that showed periodontal microflora as a potential factor in Alzheimer's disease progression. Session 2 focused on behavioral and social science aspects of aging and their oral health significance. The keynote provided evidence that loneliness and isolation can have major health effects. These social conditions, along with poor oral health, tooth loss, and cognitive decline, could potentially affect healthy eating ability and systemic health in older adults. Research could help elucidate the directions and pathways connecting these seemingly disparate conditions. Session 3 focused on the delivery of oral care in different settings and the many barriers to access care faced by older adults. Research is needed to identify and implement effective technology and strategies to improve access to dental care, including new delivery and financing mechanisms, workforce models, interprofessional provider education and practice, and use of big data from medical-dental integration of electronic health records. Research to improve the "oral health span," reduce oral health disparities, and increase health equity must be tackled at all levels from biologic pathways to social determinants of health and health policies.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: M. Kaeberlein is Chief Science Officer at Optispan, a company focused on developing solutions for science-based preventative and longevity medicine. Optispan is not currently engaged in any oral health or rapamycin-related projects. C. Perissinotto is a research consultant to Papa Health. As part of this presentation, M. Ryder discussed research and results from several FDA clinical trials that were developed, supervised, and supported by the company formerly known as Cortexyme Inc/Quince Therapeutics (now Lighthouse Phama). M. Ryder was a former member of the Clinical Advisory Board of Cortexyme Inc., where he assisted in the design of these studies and preparation of manuscripts, holds stock, and received consulting fees. L.D. Slashcheva is an employee of Apple Tree Dental but has no financial conflicts of interest in representing the organization.