Impact of access to oral health care on oral diseases and multimorbidity: an analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, lung diseases, share several common risk factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle, poor sleeping habits, and adverse socioeconomic circumstances. These conditions are exacerbated in older populations. Evidence suggests that access to dental care especially in older populations is crucial for the prevention of oral diseases, however little is known on whether it can play a role in mitigating other chronic diseases in this population, and whether it can ameliorate the strength of the relationship between oral and non-oral health conditions. This study will assess the impact of access to oral health care on oral health and chronic health conditions, using secondary data from a national sample of older Canadians.