Seniors in Singapore visit the dentist less often, are at risk of growing more frail: Study

As Singapore’s population ages, seniors are visiting the dentist less frequently, experiencing increased loneliness, and facing a growing risk of frailty, according to a recent nationwide study.

Dental Visits Decline Among Seniors

The longitudinal study revealed that only around a quarter of seniors had visited a dentist within the past six months, while nearly one-third hadn’t seen a dentist in more than five years. Associate Professor Rahul Malhotra suggested that seniors may not view preventative dental care as a priority, only seeking treatment when problems arise.

The introduction of new dental subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) card presents an opportunity to increase awareness about the importance of regular dental check-ups, he added.

Study Details and Findings

A total of 1,535 seniors aged 67 to 101, including 64 aged 90 and above, were surveyed as part of the Transitions in Health, Employment, Social Engagement and Inter-generational Transfers in Singapore (The Signs) study. The results were published on Dec. 30, 2025, and the study round – Wave 3a – was funded by the Ageing Planning Office at the Ministry of Health.

The study also found that approximately half of community-dwelling seniors exhibit frailty, ranging from mild to severe, with two-thirds considered to have very mild frailty. Researchers recommend that those identified as pre-frail focus on muscle strengthening and maintaining a balanced diet.

Increased loneliness is also prevalent among aging Singaporeans, with nearly one in four reporting feeling mostly lonely. This proportion was higher for those aged 80 and above, women, and individuals of Malay and Indian ethnicity.

Additional Concerns for Aging Population

Other areas of concern highlighted in the study include low cancer-screening uptake, increased depressive symptoms, reduced social networks, lower digital inclusivity among the oldest-old, and lower feelings of trust and camaraderie within residential neighborhoods. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were observed in 16.5% of older Singaporeans, increasing with age and being more common in women (20%) and Indians (24.3%).

Approximately 39% of seniors are at risk of social isolation, a figure that rises with age and is higher for men. While 91% of older adults have received three or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, uptake of influenza (around 60%) and pneumococcal vaccines (around 53%) remains lower despite public awareness campaigns and subsidies.

Just over half of the seniors surveyed reported having enough money to meet their needs, and 55.1% received monetary support from family or others, with support increasing with age and women being more likely to receive most types of assistance.

Caregiving and Future Research

7.4% of older Singaporeans serve as informal caregivers, a proportion that decreases with age but is higher for women and Malays. While some caregivers report feeling burdened, a majority also find positive aspects, such as feeling more useful and appreciating life more.

Data collection for Wave 3b of The Signs study is complete, 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 findings and examine changes in the aging process over generations.