A pathway analysis of the role of factors influencing oral frailty in community-dwelling older adults: structural equation modeling

The aim of this study was to construct a structural equation model to explore the pathways of oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors on oral frailty. This study collected data from February 01 to May 31, 2024, using the general information questionnaire, oral health knowledge, belief and behavior scale, revised oral assessment guide, and oral frailty index-8 scale. The results of the study reveal that the prevalence of oral frailty was 59%, oral frailty was negatively associated with oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors, and positively associated with the number of teeth lost and oral health status score. Oral health knowledge and beliefs can influence oral frailty through oral health behaviors, as well as the number of teeth lost and oral health status and thus oral frailty through oral health behaviors. Together, the variables explained 74% of the total variance in oral frailty. Oral health behavior is a key factor in the pathway of this study, and improving oral health knowledge and beliefs in older adults can help change their oral health behaviors and reduce the risk of oral frailty.