Where are the biggest risk factors for oral health disease?
Spending on dental healthcare is the most meaningful action governments can take to reduce their nation's incidence of oral health disease. Studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggest a direct correlation between government expenditure on oral health and the prevalence of oral health disease in the country.
Sugar consumption is the largest dietary risk factor for oral health disease. Studies conducted by the WHO in 2021 suggest that wealthier nations with greater access to sugar are more likely to suffer from treatable oral health diseases. People living in countries with less access to sugar on the other hand, are more likely to experience long-term and untreatable conditions.
Where are the dental workers?
Concerningly, the world has seen a shortage of dental workers since the Covid-19 pandemic, including both dentists and dental therapists. While some nations have recovered from this decrease and responded by introducing initiatives to attract more professionals to the field, others still suffer from the shortage.
A Tooth for a Tooth Lifetime of Misery - A Closer Look at Dental Disease
Dental caries are classified as the first stage of many oral health diseases, while lip and oral cavity cancer are considered the most extreme. Whereas many people spend their entire lives with untreated caries, lip and oral cavity cancer require immediate attention alongside expenses that many cannot afford. Pictured to the left is a representation of the total number of people in the world with this cancer, and below, the number with untreated caries, both based on WHO data from 2021.