Oral health problems increase the risk of protein-energy malnutrition

Several studies have demonstrated that elderly hospital inpatients and vulnerable communities have generally a low chewing capacity, significant needs for dentures and oral healthcare, and an insufficient access to oral health care.⁷

Note: the exponent numbers refer to articles and studies listed in "References"

Poor oral health conditions represent an aggravating factor significantly linked to the risk of undernutrition.

In practice, doctors from the institutions for dependants elderly people prescribe enriched food (spontaneous oral feeding), "enriched" food elements (common food) and/or nutritional supplements for undernourished people.

The choice of food takes into account the poor oral health conditions of the target populations: normal, mixed or soft.

According to a clinical trial:

• 50% of the elderly patients who have a normal diet do not eat the recommended dietary allowance.
  100 % of patients who have to have a soft or mixed diet do not eat the recommended  dietary allowance.
  
• 40% of the elderly patients who have a normal diet do not eat the recommended protein intake
  93% of patients who have to have a soft or mixed diet do not eat the recommended  protein intake.³⁵