King’s College London announced on Tuesday results of the 2023 Adult Oral Health Survey (AOHS), the first clinical survey of adult oral health in England since 2009.
According to lead academic Jenny Gallagher MBE, the findings are alarming. Roughly 64 per cent of adults showed clinical signs of tooth decay — a largely preventable disease.
Gallagher pointed out that these rates represent a regression.
“Levels of tooth decay are worse than in 2009 and similar to those in 1998,” she said. She argued the findings come at a critical moment for health-service planning under the NHS Long-Term Plan, stressing the need to strengthen prevention and oral-health policy.
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Good and bad news
The AOHS, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), also revealed encouraging and concerning shifts: very few adults are now completely edentulous, and many retain natural teeth well into older age.
At the same time, oral disease remains widespread. Tooth decay and gum disease persist, regular dental check-ups have declined, and access barriers — such as inability to find a dentist, cost, or a lack of perceived need — are common.
Moreover, the survey highlights stark inequalities. Adults in more deprived communities suffer disproportionately from oral disease, experience more pain, and report worse oral-health–related quality of life — yet are less likely to attend dental services regularly.
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Petition to axe tax on children’s dental-care products
In the U.K., advocates have also launched a petition calling for the removal of the 20-per-cent value-added tax on children’s oral-hygiene essentials, including toothbrushes and toothpaste. Supporters argue the change would reduce financial barriers to preventive care for low-income families.
With an estimated 4.3 million children living in poverty, they say making these products more affordable could ease pressure on households and help cut National Health Service costs tied to preventable tooth decay.
According to the petition’s advocates, tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among 5–9-year-olds in England. In 2022–23, NHS hospitals carried out about 47,000 tooth extractions for under-19s — at a cost of £40.7 million (roughly C$75 million).