Prosthetic condition and its association with mental health in older adults from Centros Vida Bucaramanga

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is an essential component of the well-being and quality of life of older adults. Tooth loss and inadequate prosthetic conditions can affect masticatory function, social interaction, and emotional state, negatively impacting mental health. Objective: To determine the association between dental prosthetic condition and mental health in older adults during the first half of 2025. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, analytical, observational study was conducted with 198 older adults from the Senior Centers in Bucaramanga. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, including prosthetic condition, and mental health was assessed using the GHQ-12. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. Results: The median age was 72 years (IQR: 67–79), and 60.61% of the participants were female. A high prevalence of edentulism and unmet prosthetic needs was observed, especially in the maxilla. Participants who required prostheses, needed replacements, or were completely edentulous scored higher on the GHQ-12, indicating a greater level of psychological distress. Significant differences were also observed according to socioeconomic status and some prosthetic characteristics. Conclusions: Dental prosthetic status was significantly associated with the mental health of the older adults evaluated. Tooth loss and unmet prosthetic needs were related to higher levels of psychological distress, highlighting the importance of integrating oral rehabilitation into comprehensive care strategies for this population.