Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41820885›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Living alone and oral health disparities in Chinese older adults: a national cross-sectional study.

Qingqing Weng, Jiaxin Li, Hao Zhang, Xiaoli Zeng, Dongxin Da, Huning Wang, Ying Zhang

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Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Qingqing WengDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Jiaxin LiDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Hao ZhangDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Xiaoli ZengDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Dongxin DaDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Huning WangDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Ying ZhangDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, 166 Hechuan Rd, Shanghai, 200001, China. zhangyingcmu@vip.163.com.

Funding

the Scientific Research Fund of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China 201502002
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWith China's rapidly aging population, the oral health of older adults living alone has become a growing concern due to their limited social support and potential health disparities. This study aimed to compare oral health status between Chinese adults aged 65-74 living alone versus those cohabiting with others and identify factors associated with oral health disparities.

methodsA cross-sectional analysis utilized data from China's 4th National Oral Health Survey, including 4,406 participants (312 living alone; 4,094 cohabiting). Oral examinations assessed caries, periodontal status, and tooth loss; structured questionnaires captured demographics, socioeconomic status, behaviors, and self-perceived oral health. The survey was conducted according to the basic methods proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

resultsOlder adults living alone (7.1%) showed worse oral health: higher caries prevalence (83.01% vs. 76.26%), more tooth loss (8.26 vs. 6.76), less occluding pairs (6.85 vs. 8.14), lower oral health knowledge scores (5.88 ± 2.51 vs. 6.32 ± 2.31), and worse self-perceived oral health (P < 0.05). Regression confirmed living situation, age, gender, education, income, area, smoking and drinking alcohol as key predictors of oral health outcomes (P < 0.05).

conclusionOral health is significantly poorer among Chinese seniors living alone and is significantly associated with socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Targeted interventions-including enhanced social support, financial aid, and oral health education-are urgently needed for this vulnerable group.

Indexed as

Health Status DisparitiesOral HealthResidence CharacteristicsAgedChinaCross-Sectional StudiesEast Asian PeopleFemaleHumansMaleSocioeconomic Disparities in HealthSocioeconomic FactorsChinaCross-Sectional studyLiving aloneOlder adultsOral health

Identifiers

PMID41820885
PMCPMC13094053

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.