The results of the 2023 Adult Oral Health Survey (AOHS) were recently published – and the UK’s teeth are seemingly in a worse state than in 2009.
Since 1968, an AOHS has been conducted almost every decade, establishing improvements or declines in British dental care. The 2023 edition marks the sixth survey, and provides a comprehensive breakdown of the nation’s oral health.
The main findings were that 65% of British adults self-reported that their oral health was either good or very good, 24% said fair, and 11% reported bad or very bad oral health.
Elsewhere, 43% of adults stated that their oral health had negatively impacted their daily life. This was proportionally higher than the AOHS conducted in 2009 (33%), putting the UK’s oral health at a level last seen in the 1998 AOHS.
The negative statistics continue. For example, in 2023 41% of adults had obvious signs of rotten teeth; in 2009 this figure was 28%. Regular dental attendance also declined and 31% of adults said that affording dental check-ups and treatments was a major barrier.
Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, commented that, “We urgently need national action to make healthier choices easier, improve access to dental care, and address widening inequalities that are leaving millions behind.”
This reversal in oral health standard could have several explanations, such as fewer dental appointments over the devastating pandemic years and the strained services playing catch-up since.
However, there is cautious room for optimism. In the years since 2023, more NHS appointments have been made readily available, with more patients being able to see a dentist in 2024 and 2025. The government’s 10 Year Health Plan hopes to change things, such as with new reforms to the dental contract. These will prioritise patients with urgent needs, such as severe tooth decay and gum disease, and encourage newly qualified dentists to work for 3 years in the NHS to boost appointment availability and take the edge off for financially-concerned patients.
Despite the alarming decline in the UK’s oral health, having identifiable areas of improvement may lead to quick and decisive actions to bring the nation back on-track for the next AOHS.
Since you’re here, why not read about the GDC’s new strategy to support dental professionals?
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