Chronic oral diseases rise among Vietnam’s elderly amid lack of care system

The warning was issued during a seminar on oral health for the elderly, held alongside the 11th Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Odonto-Stomatology Association.

Associate Professor Hoang Trong Hung, vice-president of the association, said the share of people aged over 65 is increasing, especially in Asia, which is aging faster than any other region.

By 2050, people over 60 are expected to make up a quarter of the global population.

Hung said eight of the top ten causes of death in the elderly stem from chronic non-communicable diseases, many of which share risk factors with oral health problems.

He added that improving dental care could reduce complications and healthcare dependency.

However, access to services remains limited.

A 2019 survey found Ho Chi Minh City had six dentists per 10,000 people in central areas, falling to 0.9 in outlying areas.

Dr. Le Trung Chanh, director of the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology in Ho Chi Minh City, said people over 65 in Vietnam have on average only 10 to 12 functional teeth, far below the national target of 20.

Only 15 percent of the population receives regular check-ups, while up to 90 percent suffer from gum disease, he added.

Vietnam has no geriatric oral health care model, Hung said, calling for multi-sector cooperation and adoption of regional best practices.