What is the connection between oral health and communication in individuals aged 70 and over? A study by a BAUN academic sheds light on this.
29 June 2026
An academic study conducted by academics, including Dr. Selman Bölükbaşı, Assistant Professor at the Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Balıkesir University (BAUN), revealed striking findings regarding the relationship between oral health and communication attitudes in individuals aged 70 and over who have undergone dental implant treatment.
The academics involved in the study included Dr. Selman Bölükbaşı from BAUN, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahadır Sancar, Dr. İrfan Üstündağ, Dr. Agit Şimşek, and Research Assistant from İnönü University. The article titled “Oral Health and Public Speaking Attitudes After Dental Implant Treatment in Septuagenarians: A Comparative Study,” conducted by Recep Akmeşe, was published in the Q1 category of the international journal “Frontiers in Public Health.”
Dr. Selman Bölükbaşı: “Oral health also affects the social lives of elderly individuals.”
Providing information about the study, Dr. Selman Bölükbaşı stated that the research was conducted with 277 individuals aged 60 and over who had undergone dental implant treatment, and that individuals aged 70 and over (septuagenarians) were considered as a separate subgroup.
He further stated that the research results showed that positive attitudes towards oral health were significantly related to the enjoyment of public speaking and communication confidence. Associate Professor Selman Bölükbaşı emphasized that the findings revealed that oral health in elderly individuals is important not only in terms of physical health but also in terms of social participation and communication.
Stating that the research is expected to make significant contributions to the fields of geriatric health, gerontology, oral and dental health, and speech and language therapy, Associate Professor Selman Bölükbaşı added that the results will also shed light on studies aimed at improving the quality of life of elderly individuals.
Article access address: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1840468/full
