Geriatric Oral Health in the United States: Current Status and Challenges

The United States is experiencing rapid population aging, making geriatric oral health an increasingly important public health and clinical concern. Older adults bear a disproportionate burden of oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, edentulism, xerostomia, and oral cancer, many of which are closely linked to chronic systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on oral disease patterns and trends among older adults in the United States, with particular attention to the bidirectional relationships between oral and systemic health. It further examines the organization of oral health care delivery and financing for this population, including the roles of Medicare and Medicaid. Persistent inequities in access to preventive and restorative dental services are highlighted, especially among low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, and older adults with functional or cognitive limitations. Workforce shortages, fragmented care models, and limited integration of oral health into primary and geriatric care further exacerbate these disparities. Finally, this review identifies future directions to improve geriatric oral health, including policy reforms to expand dental coverage, integration of oral health into medical and long-term care settings, adoption of minimally invasive approaches, and strengthened interprofessional education and research. Addressing these challenges is essential to promoting healthy aging and reducing oral health disparities among older adults in the United States.