ORAL HEALTH AND FUNCTIONALITY IN OLDER ADULTS: THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDENTULISM, SARCOPENIA, DYSPHAGIA, AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS AS A MARKER OF FRAILTY AND ITS IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE – AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN LIGHT OF THE NATIONAL ORAL HEALTH POLICY AND THE NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY FOR OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Population aging increases the need to understand the conditions that compromise functional ability, autonomy, and quality of life among older adults. In this context, oral health is a fundamental dimension of comprehensive care, as edentulism, impaired chewing ability, and swallowing disorders may interfere with food intake, nutritional status, and the maintenance of functional capacity. This study aims to analyze the interrelationship between edentulism, sarcopenia, dysphagia, and nutritional status as factors associated with frailty in older adults, discussing their implications for quality of life and opportunities for interdisciplinary care in light of Brazil's National Oral Health Policy and National Health Policy for Older Persons. This is a bibliographic and documentary review adopting a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach, based on scientific publications and policy documents addressing aging, oral health, functional ability, and comprehensive care within the Brazilian Unified Health System. The literature indicates that tooth loss and reduced chewing efficiency may limit the variety and texture of foods consumed, contributing to inadequate nutritional intake in certain circumstances. Malnutrition and sarcopenia, in turn, may impair the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing, increasing functional vulnerability. Dysphagia introduces additional risks related to insufficient food and fluid intake, aspiration, and reduced enjoyment of eating. These conditions have multifactorial relationships and do not necessarily follow a single causal pathway, requiring individualized assessment. Interdisciplinary collaboration among dentistry, nutrition, speech-language pathology, medicine, nursing, and other healthcare professions may support early identification of functional changes, rehabilitation, and continuity of care. It is concluded that oral health should be recognized as an essential component of comprehensive geriatric assessment, requiring coordinated prevention, oral rehabilitation, nutritional monitoring, and interdisciplinary care to help preserve autonomy, prevent frailty, and improve quality of life.