Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene (J Korean Soc Dent Hyg)
Original Article

Impacts of oral frailty on leisure activity participation among older adults: sex differences

Department of Dental Hygiene, Chungcheong University

Correspondence to Chang-Hee Kim, Department of Dental Hygiene, Chungcheong University, 87 Wolgok-gil, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, 28171, Korea. Tel: +82-043-230-2664, Fax: +82-043-230-2669, E-mail: chst6619@hanmail.net

Volume 26, Number 2, Pages 267–75, April 2026.
J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2026;26(2):267–75. https://doi.org/10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.2.13
Received on March 03, 2026, Revised on March 23, 2026, Accepted on April 08, 2026, Published on April 30, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between oral frailty and leisure activities among older adults and to identify the moderating effect of gender. Methods: A survey was disseminated among 272 older adults aged ≥65 years at senior welfare centers in Chungcheongnam-do and Chungcheongbuk-do to obtain information regarding oral frailty and participation in leisure activities. Results: Leisure activity levels were significantly higher among women than men. oral frailty exerted a dampening effect on hobbies and volunteering, social, educational, and leisure activities. Conclusions: Reducing oral frailty through appropriate oral health management may promote participation in leisure activitiess, thereby improving overall health among older adults.

Keywords

Leisure activities, Older adults, Oral frailty

Section