Multiple studies have demonstrated the association between Quality of Life (QoL) and the prevalence of caries, periodontitis, and tooth loss. However, the role of the position and location of tooth loss in impacting QoL remains unclear. To evaluate the association of tooth loss, including anterior losses, with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Chileans aged 15 years and older who participated in the ENS 2016–2017. In this cross-sectional study we included 5473 individuals enrolled in the last Chilean National Health Survey (ENS 2016–2017). HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D questionnaire, while OHRQoL was assessed through a general question (GQ/ENS) and five specific questions (SQ/ENS). An analysis of variance test was performed to determine how difference or variation in the number(s) of teeth affected their HRQoL. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multinomial logistic regression to determine how and to what degree anterior tooth loss was associated both with HRQOL and OHRQOL in the study sample. The number of remaining teeth was significantly higher in the ‘No problems’ group across all EQ-5D dimensions, except Anxiety/Depression. The largest difference was in Self-care, where ‘No problems’ had a mean of 20.18 compared to 6.43 teeth in the ‘Problematic’ group. Anxiety/Depression showed higher odds of ‘Some problems’ with upper anterior tooth loss, while ‘Usual Activities’ showed higher odds of ‘problematic’ with lower anterior tooth loss. Participants with an ‘Excellent’ OHRQoL perception had a mean of 24.32 teeth. Also, upper and lower anterior tooth loss increased the odds of OHRQoL self-perception. Tooth loss was associated with lower HRQoL and OHRQoL in some groups, with more remaining teeth associated with better outcomes, while anterior tooth loss was- linked to worse self-perceived oral health.

Background/Objectives: Frailty and sarcopenia are geriatric syndromes associated with increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, including functional decline, disability, and mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that oral health interventions may play a role in mitigating these conditions. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of oral health interventions on frailty and sarcopenia in older adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases for studies published up to December 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised experimental and quasi-experimental studies assessing dental interventions and their effects on frailty and sarcopenia in individuals aged 60 years and older. The primary outcomes included frailty index, grip strength, walking speed, and functional dentition. Study quality was assessed using GRADEpro. Results: Eight studies were included. Preventive oral hygiene interventions improved oral health but did not significantly impact frailty scores. Oral exercises significantly improved muscle strength and weight, leading to frailty score reductions (−1.1 points, 95% CI: −1.5 to −0.7, p < 0.01). Swallowing therapies were linked to increased grip strength (+1.8 kg, p = 0.03) and walking speed (+0.2 m/s, p = 0.04), with corresponding frailty index reductions (−0.8 points, 95% CI: −1.2 to −0.4, p = 0.01). The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Conclusions: Oral health interventions, particularly oral exercises and swallowing therapies, show potential in reducing frailty and sarcopenia-related outcomes in older adults. However, methodological heterogeneity and low-certainty evidence highlight the need for high-quality, large-scale trials with standardized assessment measures to establish definitive clinical recommendations.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide and represents a significant challenge for public health, especially in childhood. ^{1, 2} The Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 estimated that 7.8% of children suffer from untreated caries in deciduous teeth. ³ Despite dental health improvements in the past decades, dental caries continues to be a global health problem particularlyly among disadvantaged groups, both in industrialized and in developing countries. ^{1, 4}

Introduction: Dental caries in childhood remains a major global public health issue. In response to persistently high caries levels among children, Chile implemented a national programme (Sembrando Sonrisas) including daily supervised toothbrushing and biannual fluoride varnish applications in nurseries. This study aimed to examine the association between these interventions and caries experience in preschool children, and to assess related socioeconomic inequalities. Methods: We analysed aggregated municipality-level data (n = 346) on dental caries outcomes in 5-year-olds, coverage of fluoride varnish applications, delivery of toothbrushing materials (toothbrushes and 1,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste), exposure to community water fluoridation (CWF), rurality, and socioeconomic deprivation. The primary outcome was the caries experience of children covered by the programme since its national rollout in 2015. Univariate and multivariate weighted linear regression models assessed associations between programme interventions and caries experience, adjusting for deprivation and CWF. Socioeconomic inequalities in caries experience were evaluated using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII). The distribution of programme delivery across socioeconomic deciles was assessed using weighted regression models. Results: Data on 309,360 5-year-olds were included. Complete delivery of toothbrushing materials was associated with lower caries experience (50.1% vs. 55.0%), a 4.9% difference (95% CI: 2.5%, 7.2%) after adjustment. CWF exposure was associated with a 7.5% lower caries experience (95% CI: 4.2%, 10.9%). The combination of both interventions showed the lowest caries levels, with a 13.4% difference compared to areas with neither intervention (95% CI: 7.5%, 19.3%). Fluoride varnish application was not significantly associated with caries experience. Delivery of interventions was equitable across socioeconomic groups. However, caries experience was significantly higher in the most deprived municipalities (SII = 14.7%, 95% CI: 11.7%, 17.7%; RII = 0.283, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Lower caries experience was associated with supervised daily toothbrushing and CWF exposure, but not with fluoride varnish application. Despite equitable programme coverage, substantial socioeconomic inequalities persist. As this ecological study cannot establish causality, further research is needed to evaluate long-term trends and the role of broader determinants in improving child oral health.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, including Chile. While mortality rates from CVD are well-documented, the associated burden of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the impact of key modifiable risk factors have yet to be fully explored. This study aims to describe the temporal trends of CVD-related DALYs in Chile, stratified by gender, and to identify the primary risk factors contributing to this burden. An ecological study was conducted using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. We analysed age-standardised DALYs rates for overall and specific CVDs in Chile from 1990 to 2021. For the year 2021, we calculated the percentage distribution of DALYs by CVD type. Where applicable, CVDs were examined in relation to behavioural, metabolic, and environmental risk factors, and relative changes in DALYs over time. Over the last three decades, the overall CVD DALYs rate in Chile decreased substantially. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke accounted for most of the CVD burden, with gender differences observed. Stroke predominated in females and ischaemic heart disease in males. Metabolic risk factors, particularly high systolic blood pressure (SBP), were the most significant contributors to CVD DALYs, followed by behavioural and environmental risk factors. Although the rates of CVD DALYs have declined significantly in Chile during the past three decades, the burden remains substantial and with gender-specific differences. Metabolic risk factors, especially high SBP, followed by behavioural and environmental factors, remain key contributors to CVD, highlighting the need for continued public health efforts focused on multi-level interventions to reduce the impact of these risk factors on cardiovascular health, such as adopting lower blood pressure goals among older people.

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in children worldwide, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. In Chile, national data from 2007 reported significant inequities in dental caries among six-year-old children, with higher prevalence in rural and low-income areas. This study aimed to evaluate socioeconomic inequalities in the distribution of dental caries among Chilean children aged 6 years from 2008 to 2023, considering recent public health interventions. This ecological study utilized anonymized routine health records from the Chilean public health system and socioeconomic data at the municipal level, covering 2008–2023, with data from up to n = 323 municipalities nationwide. Caries experience was measured as the proportion of six-year-old children with decayed, extracted, or filled primary teeth (dmft > 0) per municipality and year, following WHO criteria. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII), with linear regression models to evaluate trends over time. A reduction in caries experience among six-year-old children – decreasing from 75.8% in 2008–2011 to 60.4% in 2020–2023 – was observed. Absolute inequality in caries experience between the least and most advantaged groups declined from 14.9% in 2008–2011 to 9.5% in 2020–2023. However, profound socioeconomic inequities in caries distribution persisted throughout the study period. The findings indicate a trend towards reduced socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries among six-year-old Chilean children, possibly influenced by preventive public health programs. Nevertheless, significant inequities and high caries levels remain, highlighting the need for sustained and equitable oral health interventions.