Various definitions of poor dentition in older adults has been linked with inadequate intake of nutrients and poor diet quality. This study aims to look at the associations between poor dentition as defined by the composition of functional tooth units, and dietary intake of nutrients in community dwelling older men.

Poor dentition, defined by numbers of teeth, functional tooth units or edentulism has been previously shown to be associated with poor intakes of nutrients in older adults, including but not limited to vitamin C, calcium, fibre, protein, zinc and folate. Similar findings have been found when poor dentition is defined by the presence of a prosthesis. Reasons for this inverse relationship include poor denture quality, reduced chewing capacity, or the inadequacy of prosthesis to replace natural teeth.

However limited studies have looked at how the composition (natural verses prosthetic) of functional tooth units is associated with nutrient intake. A cross sectional analysis of a cohort of male older adults, participating in an ongoing longitudinal study, was conducted to investigate nutrition and oral health associations, including the relationship between the composition of functional tooth units and nutrient intake.

Inclusion Criteria:

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Exclusion Criteria:

• Moved inter or intrastate (moved out of study area)
• Death
• Refused to participate
• previously withdrawn

The study population is a subset of a ongoing longitudinal study, that start in 2005. Men over the age of 70 years on the electoral roll for geographical locations within the Canada Bay area of Sydney, NSW were invited to participate. The only exclusion criteria was living in an aged care facility at time of recruitment.

The follow up this study is based on, invited participants to be involved in a fourth wave of assessments. Anyone who had moved into an aged care facility was included. However those who had moved outside of the Sydney, had died, previously withdrawn or refused to participate, (but remained active), were excluded.

De-identified data is be available for researchers.

Data is currently available

Data access request will be reviewed by Chief Investigators. All requester's will be required to sign a data access agreement.