###### Abstract  
(1) Background: A study was undertaken to provide a comprehensive profile of the prevalence and distribution, by selected socio-demographic characteristics, of chronic diseases and health conditions including those that impact the oral health and oral health self-care of independently living older adults in rural areas of the state of Victoria; (2) Methods: The study analyzed data from the Crossroads-II project, with a total of 1407 participants aged 55 years and older. Participants responded to questionnaires about their medical health history, health service use, and socio-demographics. In total, 572 attended a 2-h health screening that included an assessment of prescribed medications; (3) Results: Most participants were female (55.3%), with a mean age of 69.1 (SD = 9.2) years. Participants had a high prevalence of medical conditions; the most common were high blood pressure, arthritis, high lipids, hearing loss, and chronic pain. Almost all participants reported taking medications, with an average of 4.3 medications per person. Among those who attended the health screening, 78.1% were taking medications that could cause xerostonia (dry mouth); (4) Conclusions: This study provides initial information on the prevalence of medical conditions, medication usage, and the potential impact on the oral health of older adults living in rural Victoria. This information would be valuable for healthcare and dental workforce planning, policy development, and improving the overall well-being of this population. oral health; xerostonia; Australia; non-communicable diseases +
Footnote †: journal: Medical Conditions and Medication Usage:  
burden and require a robust public health response to mitigate their impact [3]. Addressing these oral health issues is crucial in improving overall health outcomes and quality of life, particularly as populations age and chronic conditions become more prevalent. More specifically, they have a vital role in promoting the understanding of the bidirectional relationship between oral health and systemic health. They are well-positioned to convey the message that oral health and general health are interconnected. Their awareness, communication, and education efforts can contribute to improved health outcomes for patients, particularly among older populations. Recently, the International Dental Federation (FDI) approved a new definition of oral health: \"Oral health is multifaceted and includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort, and disease of the craniofacial complex\" [4]. Furthermore, within this new definition, the FDI highlighted that oral health is \"a fundamental component of health and physical and mental well-being\". The FDI's new definition of oral health encompasses physiological, social, and psychological aspects that contribute to the person's quality of life. Oral health is dynamic and can be by individual experiences, perceptions, expectations, and adaptive abilities in different circumstances [4]. The recognition of oral health as an integral part of overall health has gained attention from organizations such as the World Health Organization [5; 6], the World Dental Federation [4; 7], and national health strategies [8; 9]. The global oral health status report indicates that oral diseases pose a serious burden to health, affecting 3.5 billion people around the world, making them the most prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCD) [3]. Additionally, oral health professionals should have a comprehensive understanding and familiarity with their patients' general health conditions. This knowledge is essential because issues in the mouth have an impact on the health of the entire body and systemic conditions can manifest in oral health problems. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and immune disorders have reciprocal links and, as such, can influence oral health and vice versa.