University of Chester summit sparks national action on oral frailty and healthy ageing

Chaired by the University's Chancellor, Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the event brought together clinicians, researchers, educators and policymakers from across the UK, including senior leaders from Wales, to address growing evidence that declining oral health is both an early indicator and a contributor to frailty, loss of independence and poorer health outcomes in later life.

The summit highlighted the urgent need to recognise oral frailty as a significant public health challenge within an ageing society. Particular attention was given to opportunities for collaboration between England and Wales to strengthen prevention, early identification and integrated care for older adults. Participants explored how declining oral function affects nutrition, social engagement, physical resilience and quality of life, while also examining the disproportionate impact of deprivation and health inequalities on older populations.

Opening proceedings, Professor Dame Jenny Harries emphasised that "an ageing society is about everyone", noting that poor oral health is increasingly recognised as a factor in dementia, cardiovascular disease, stroke and the management of many chronic conditions.

A strong consensus emerged that oral frailty represents a unique opportunity for prevention. Unlike many indicators of frailty, oral decline can often be identified early and reversed through timely intervention. Delegates agreed that dental professionals should be recognised as key partners in supporting healthy ageing, with an enhanced role in prevention, risk identification and multidisciplinary care.

Among those contributing to the discussion were leading advocates for healthy ageing and integrated care, including Professor Martin Vernon, a recognised authority on frailty and older people's care; Professor Mahendra Patel, an internationally respected expert in pharmacy, public health and health inequalities; and Andrew Dickenson, Chief Dental Officer for Wales. Together, they highlighted the importance of embedding oral health within broader healthy ageing strategies and strengthening collaboration across health and care systems.

Discussions also underscored the need to improve public and professional understanding of oral frailty, ensuring that patients, carers and healthcare professionals view it as a modifiable risk factor rather than an inevitable consequence of ageing.

A significant outcome of the summit was a shared commitment to explore Wales as a demonstrator nation for oral frailty prevention and healthy ageing. Building on Wales's strong tradition of preventive public health programmes and integrated approaches to care, Professor Paul Brocklehurst of Public Health Wales highlighted opportunities to test innovative models of screening, workforce development and multidisciplinary intervention that could inform practice across the UK.

The summit concluded with three headline commitments:

• Piloting a validated UK oral frailty screening tool within primary and dental care settings to support earlier identification and intervention.
• Building a multidisciplinary workforce for healthy ageing, including strengthening the role of dental hygienists and therapists through curriculum development, enhanced training and clearer professional pathways.
• Supporting a UK longitudinal research programme focused on preventing reversible oral disease and generating robust UK-specific evidence to inform future policy and practice.

Organisers described the summit as a pivotal moment for the field, marking a transition from awareness to coordinated action. Through collaboration between academic institutions, professional leaders and policymakers in England, Wales and across the UK, the initiative aims to establish oral health as a core component of healthy ageing policy and practice.

With committed leadership, strong collaborative partnerships and clear next steps now established, the University of Chester has created a platform for sustained national progress towards healthier ageing and improved quality of life for older people across the UK.

Professor Paul Kingston of the University of Chester will work with partnerships emerging from the summit to help shape the next phase of development, including screening, workforce capability and research initiatives designed to support healthier ageing and reduce inequalities among older people.

Professor Paul Kingston, Professor of Ageing and Social Care at the University of Chester, said: "Oral frailty is one of the most significant yet overlooked challenges facing an ageing society. What made this summit so important was the breadth of expertise brought together from across health, social care, academia and policy. There was a clear shared commitment to move beyond discussion and towards practical action. By strengthening prevention, improving early identification and working collaboratively across disciplines and nations, we have a real opportunity to help older people retain their independence, improve their quality of life and reduce health inequalities."

Caption: From left to right: Professor Mahendra Patel; Professor Dame Jenny Harries; Dr Dean Stevens; Dr Swati Nehete; Professor Andrew Dickenson and Professor Paul Kingston.