Abstract:

The global oral disease burden in older adults remains high despite a well-established preventive evidence base. Digital health interventions, including teledentistry, mobile health (mHealth), artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices such as smart toothbrushes, are increasingly proposed as solutions to bridge access gaps. Whether these technologies reach those most in need has rarely been examined through the lens of the Prevention Paradox.

This narrative review synthesises peer-reviewed literature on digital health interventions for preventive oral care in older adults, interpreted through the Prevention Paradox and the PROGRESS-Plus equity framework. A structured Scopus search yielded 143 records; after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 71 records formed the working corpus, complemented by full-text analysis of 62 papers and three foundational theoretical sources.