Data from The Vietnam Experience study were used to examine the association between physician-assessed oral health status and all-cause mortality at middle age and to ascertain whether this relationship could be explained by socioeconomic and behavioural factors. Veterans assessed as having poor oral health and being edentulous were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. The association between oral health and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality attenuated but was not eliminated after adjusting for chronic conditions at midlife,socioeconomic position and behavioural factors.