Singapore — Fewer than a third of seniors in Singapore have visited a dentist in the last five years, according to a recent nationwide study, raising concerns about preventative dental care as the population ages.
Dental Checkups Decline with Age in Singapore
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A new study reveals a concerning trend: older Singaporeans are increasingly skipping routine dental visits.
- Only around 25 percent of seniors visited a dentist within the past six months.
- Nearly one-third hadn’t seen a dentist in over five years.
- Increased loneliness and frailty are also prevalent among the aging population.
- Cancer screening rates remain below 50 percent for seniors.
What’s the connection between dental health and overall well-being for seniors? The study suggests that preventative dental care isn’t prioritized, with many only seeking treatment when problems arise, according to Associate Professor Rahul Malhotra.
The Signs Study: A Deep Dive into Senior Health
The findings stem from the latest data released on December 30, 2025, from “The Signs” study – formally known as Transitions in Health, Employment, Social Engagement and Inter-generational Transfers in Singapore. The study, funded by the Ageing Planning Office at the Ministry of Health, added a dental module to its research, recognizing the growing importance of oral health and its link to broader health outcomes.
Researchers surveyed 1,535 seniors, ranging in age from 67 to 101, including 64 individuals aged 90 and above. This cohort was originally recruited for the study between 2016 and 2017.
Frailty and Loneliness on the Rise
Beyond dental health, the study painted a broader picture of challenges facing Singapore’s senior population. Approximately half of community-dwelling seniors exhibit some degree of frailty, with two-thirds classified as having only very mild frailty, based on a threshold proposed in the National Frailty Strategy Policy Report.
Professor Rahul Malhotra emphasized that those identified as “pre-frail” should focus on strengthening muscles and maintaining a balanced diet to prevent further decline.
The study also revealed a significant increase in loneliness among seniors, with nearly one in four reporting feelings of being mostly lonely. This proportion was even higher for those aged 80 and above, women, and individuals of Malay and Indian ethnicity.
Other Health Concerns Among Seniors
Low cancer-screening uptake, increased depressive symptoms, shrinking social networks, limited digital inclusion among the oldest-old, and a decline in trust and camaraderie within neighborhoods were also identified as areas of concern. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were observed in 16.5 percent of older Singaporeans, rising with age and being more prevalent among women (20 percent) and Indians (24.3 percent).
Approximately 39 percent of seniors are at risk of social isolation, a figure that increases with age and is higher for men. Despite efforts to promote vaccination, only about 60 percent of seniors received an influenza vaccine in the past year, and roughly 53 percent had ever received a pneumococcal vaccine, even with public awareness campaigns and subsidies.
Just over half of the seniors surveyed reported feeling financially secure, while 55.1 percent received monetary support from family or others, with support increasing with age and women being more likely to receive assistance.
Caregiving and Future Research
Only 7.4 percent of older Singaporeans serve as informal caregivers, a proportion that decreases with age but is higher among women and Malays. While nearly half of caregivers reported feeling burdened, a significant majority – 86 percent – also felt more useful and appreciated life more due to their caregiving role.
Data collection for Wave 3b of The Signs study has been completed, with results expected before the end of the year. This phase involved interviewing approximately 5,300 older Singapore residents aged 60 and above, allowing researchers to compare current findings with previous data and track changes in the aging process across generations.
Q: What percentage of seniors in Singapore haven’t seen a dentist in over five years? A: Nearly one-third of seniors in Singapore haven’t visited a dentist in more than five years, highlighting a potential gap in preventative oral healthcare.
