Peer perceptions of orofacial appearance among older adults: a qualitative study

Background: Orofacial appearance remains socially meaningful throughout later life, as facial and dental features may shape first impressions and social judgments. Yet little is known about how older adults perceive the orofacial appearance of their peers. Against this background, this study explored how adults aged 65 years and older perceive their peers’ orofacial appearance (OA). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants (aged 68–76), strategically recruited from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care–Blekinge (SNAC-B) in Karlskrona. To identify patterns in the data, a thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Results: The older adults’ perceptions of other people’s OA were represented in three themes: (i) charisma and personality overshadow orofacial appearance; (ii) it is easy to attribute characteristics as a result of the appearance; (iii) adherence to established norms is expected. Conclusion: This study highlights how older adults’ perceptions of peers’ OA are shaped by interpersonal impressions and social norms. Charisma, warmth, and facial expression could reduce the importance of specific orofacial features, whereas missing teeth, visible poor oral health, or appearance changes perceived as outside age-appropriate norms could trigger assumptions about lifestyle, vulnerability, or self-care.