5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Oral health is increasingly recognized as a crucial determinant of overall health, well-being, and quality of life among older adults. As global populations age rapidly, understanding and addressing oral health challenges in later life is of paramount importance. While dental studies have extensively explored biological and behavioral domains of oral health, its social dimensions remain relatively underexplored. This session aims to bridge this gap by focusing on social antecedents, consequences, and inequalities of oral health and their relevance to quality of life among older adults. We welcome original research that explores:

• Measurement and assessment of oral health, including self-report instruments like the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI)
• Sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in oral health and access to dental care among older adults
• Bidirectional relationship between oral health and physical, mental, and social well-being of older adults
• Policy evaluations and implementations related to geriatric oral health care

We particularly encourage submissions that

• Utilize data from original social surveys
• Employ innovative methodological approaches
• Address health disparities and promote health equity with policy implications
• Evaluate existing interventions or propose novel strategies to improve oral health in older populations

By bringing together diverse perspectives on this critical yet often overlooked aspect of aging, this session aims to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue and inform evidence-based policies and practices to improve oral health-related quality of life among older adults.