Anastassia Kossioni

Prof. Anastassia E. Kossioni, DDS, PGCE(ODL), MSc, PhD

Dr Anastassia KOSSIONI, is Professor of Gerodontology at the Dental School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece. She serves as Honorary Secretary and Chair of the Education Committee of the European College of Gerodontology (ECG). She has previously been a member of the Academic Board and co-Chair of the Special Interest Group in Gerodontology of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS). She is currently Gerodontology Coordinator in the COST Action CA21122 “PROmoting GeRiAtric Medicine in countries where it is still eMergING” (PROGRAMMING), which aims to promote education of care providers in Geriatric Medicine and Gerodontology across Europe. She has co-authored several expert opinion documents and recommendations on oral health promotion in older adults. Her research mainly focuses on the relationship between oral with general health in older adults, oral health promotion in institutional care settings, and interprofessional education and practice in gerodontology.

Prosthodontic Care in an Ageing Society: Pathways to Healthy Ageing

In response to global population ageing, the World Health Organization calls for multisectoral, coordinated, and integrated action to promote Healthy Ageing and optimise functional ability for older adults, irrespective of their level of care dependency. All domains of intrinsic capacity, including cognition, locomotion, vitality, vision, hearing, and psychological well-being are closely interconnected with oral function, dental care, and oral health maintenance. Prosthodontic rehabilitation can significantly improve bite force, masticatory performance, swallowing and speech function, orofacial aesthetics, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. These improvements may enhance intrinsic capacity and functional ability not only through better nutritional intake but also via important psychosocial mechanisms.

Prosthodontic education and care must adapt to the challenges of increasing population longevity. Delivering patient-centered restorative treatment for the increasing number of older adults requires specialised knowledge of the physiology, pathology, and pharmacology of ageing, as well as an understanding of functional limitations and social needs in later life. It further necessitates tailoring treatment approaches to individual levels of functional ability, recognising that optimal care planning may differ from traditional or idealised treatment approaches. Prosthodontic care should support the enhancement and maintenance of functional ability throughout the course of life by incorporating basic assessments for declines in intrinsic capacity, particularly among middle-aged and older dental patients, delivering health and lifestyle advice, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and implementing integrated care strategies that extend beyond conventional restorative goals to enhance overall well-being in older age.