Oral function as an indexing parameter for mild cognitive impairment in older adults

Aim To investigate the association between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and oral status, and to develop an oral‐based screening index for MCI. Methods A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a total of 5104 community‐dwelling adults (aged ≥65 years) from the Obu Study of Health Promotion for the Elderly. Screening for MCI included a standardized personal interview, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Geriatrics and Gerontology‐Functional Assessment Tool (which included 8 tasks used to assess logical memory, word list memory, attention and executive function, processing speed, and visuospatial skill) and oral status. Results In our study, 930 individuals were diagnosed with MCI, whereas the remaining 2669 were not. Both men and women with MCI showed a significantly lower number of functional and present teeth, poorer oral diadochokinesis, and less palpation of masseter muscle tension (P