Singaporeans can now check their risk of severe gum disease or oral frailty by completing a list of questions through the National Dental Centre Singapore’s (NDCS) oral health screening tool on SingHealth’s Health Buddy application. Those assessed to be at high risk of severe gum disease or oral frailty are then encouraged to see a dentist. The tool is the latest in the suite of health tracker tools available on the SingHealth Health Buddy app. The move is in line with the national Healthier SG initiative — which focuses on preventive health — as it empowers the community to take charge of their own oral health and raises greater oral health awareness about gum diseases and oral frailty.
Need for greater oral health awareness
Recent studies have revealed that 90% of adult Singaporeans are affected by some form of gum disease, ranging from mild gingivitis to more severe periodontitis.1 This high prevalence underscores a significant public health issue that demands attention.
There is also a lack of awareness surrounding preventive dental care, with 68.9% unaware that regular dental check-ups help prevent gum disease and maintain overall oral health. This knowledge gap suggests a critical need for improved public education on oral hygiene practices and the importance of routine dental visits.
The combination of widespread gum disease and low awareness of preventive measures points to potential long-term health consequences. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss, and is also linked to various systemic health issues including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Moreover, the economic impact of treating advanced gum disease and its complications can be substantial, both for individuals and the healthcare system.
The same study also found that 12.5% of those aged 65 and above did not have any teeth, highlighting a significant oral health concern among the elderly. Oral frailty, characterised by a decline in oral function, can impact a person’s ability to chew, swallow, and speak. It has also been found to be a predictor of physical frailty, dependency and mortality in community-dwelling older adults. If left unaddressed, oral frailty can result in malnutrition, muscle loss and impairment in daily living activities. This highlights the importance of early intervention and maintaining good oral health as a person ages.
New oral health screening tool on Health Buddy as a first step to self-awareness
The new dental tool on Health Buddy has two components which aim to help users uncover their risk of severe gum disease and oral frailty. The simplified nomogram and Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8) aim to aid patients in conducting a self-assessment on their oral health needs and makes a recommendation if they should seek professional dental care. The simplified nomogram for gum disease comprises six questions which will help predict the risk of severe gum disease, while the OFI-8 has eight questions which will help adults evaluate their risk of oral frailty.
With an increased oral health awareness from using these tools on Health Buddy, users can be empowered to take ownership of their oral health. Aside from receiving an assessment of their oral health state, users can also track the progress of their dental risks by submitting questionnaire results to the Health Buddy app, viewing their attempt history and outcomes for both screenings, and accessing a graph of their Oral Frailty Index results over time. Likewise, they can choose to follow up with CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) dental clinics or polyclinics for follow-up where necessary, as well as receive recommendation on articles and videos which will improve their oral health.
CI A/Prof Lui Jeen Nee, deputy CEO for clinical and regional Health at NDCS, said: “We hope to bring dental awareness to Singaporeans directly with this tool and make it easy and convenient for everyone in the community to check for their risk of gum disease and oral frailty status. Oral health is the window to our overall health and a healthier Singapore starts with healthy teeth.”
The launch of the oral health screening tool in Health Buddy will be held in conjunction with the World Oral Health Day forum organised by NDCS annually. Themed “Healthy Teeth, Healthy You” this year, the forum highlights the relationship between oral health, systemic health and overall wellness. The event will feature a series of talks by NDCS dentists on common oral health conditions and ways to better care for one’s oral health. The topics for the seven talks are listed in Annex A. Almost 300 members of the public have registered for the event.
References
- Findings from the 2019 nationally representative oral health survey for adults in Singapore, Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2024 Jun;52(3):281-291
