We examined the relationship between body function evaluation associated with the muscle mass of limbs and the trunk, the risk of accidental falling, and oral function such as number of teeth and occlusal force, and analyzed the oral factors that raise the accidental fall risk in rural community-dwelling elderly in Japan.

　The present study included 308 elderly people. Oral functional assessments were examined（e.g. number of teeth, occlusal support state, condition of prosthetic treatment）. In the body function evaluation, the walking speed test, time up to go test（TUG）, knee extension muscular strength measurement, and single stepladder position test in care prevention were performed based on the items that had been used as outcome measures with a locomotion function improvement manual. Physical activity and body composition analysis（skeletal muscle mass and fat mass）were obtained.

　There was a significant positive correlation between the number of teeth and occlusal support/occlusal force. There were stronger relationships between TUG and the number of teeth/occlusal force, as compared with the other items. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found in the number of teeth and the amount of physical activity：the subjects with a large number of teeth showed a tendency toward higher activity during the day. As a result of examining the relationship between occlusal support state and physical function evaluation, the Eichner Class C group showed significantly lower body function, and the amount of physical activity also showed a significantly low value.

　It is suggested that maintaining the amount of activity and physical function in everyday life may prevent the loss of teeth, keep good occlusal force and be closely related to reducing the risk of accidental falls.