Reciprocal Relationship between Oral Health and Social Engagement Among Older Adults: A Gendered Story

Studies have documented an association between oral health and social engagement. However, the causal direction of the association remains unclear. Furthermore, potential gender differences in the association have been underexplored. This study examined the reciprocal relationship between oral health and social engagement in older adults, focusing on gender variation. Data were drawn from 5,735 older adults, aged 55 or above, in the 2018, 2020, and 2022 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Oral health was assessed using the 12-item Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. Social engagement was measured by the frequency of participation in various social activities. A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model was employed. The findings identified a reciprocal relationship between oral health and social engagement, with notable gender differences. Among older men, better oral health predicted more frequent social engagement, but social engagement did not impact oral health. Conversely, among older women, more frequent social engagement predicted better oral health, while oral health did not influence social engagement. These findings contribute to our understanding of gender disparities in the social causation and health selection processes. Interventions should implement gender-specific strategies to promote oral health and social engagement in later life.