FDI’s Oral Health for an Ageing Population (OHAP) project, launched in 2015, continues to make strides in promoting healthy longevity through better oral health. with the project’s latest resource – an oral health exercise brochure for older adults has now been translated into Japanese, French, and Spanish, broadening its reach and accessibility to a global audience.

Improving oral function in ageing populations worldwide

The OHAP project, supported by GC International and the Nakao Foundation, aims to integrate oral health into broader disease policies and health promotion strategies for ageing populations. By addressing oral health challenges, OHAP strives to ensure that people live not only longer lives but healthier ones, free of oral diseases, thereby enhancing overall health and well-being.

Last year, OHAP introduced a comprehensive brochure designed to assist older adults in maintaining their oral health. This brochure outlines a series of oral function exercises intended to be performed regularly, helping to prevent the decline in oral function often associated with ageing. The exercises promote better oral health, which is crucial for overall physical health, nutrition, and quality of life.

The recent translations into Japanese, French, and Spanish mark a significant step in OHAP's mission to make these vital resources accessible to a wider population. By offering the brochure in these additional languages, OHAP is ensuring that more individuals can benefit from the exercises and maintain their oral health as they age.

Be a part of the OHAP session during the World Dental Congress 2024 in Istanbul, Türkiye

In September, the FDI World Dental Congress will host a session dedicated to showcasing the new resources developed by OHAP. Experts will present the exercise guide alongside a new frailty guide web app, providing attendees with comprehensive tools to promote oral health among ageing populations. This session will highlight the importance of oral health in achieving healthy longevity and demonstrate how these new resources can be effectively utilized.

Dr Sophie Dartevelle, a leading expert in geriatric dentistry, emphasized the significance of these new translations:

"By making the exercise brochure available in multiple languages, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that more people can take proactive steps to maintain their oral health. This is a critical component of our broader mission to enhance health and well-being in older adults globally."

Access the  translated brochure and more OHAP resources by visiting the project page: https://fdiworlddental.org/oral-health-ageing-population

The OHAP project is supported by GC International and the Nakao Foundation.