The economic impact of dental caries, or tooth decay, is significantly higher in the most deprived groups, according to new research commissioned by the European Federation of Periodontology. The study, published in BMC Public Health, examined the economic burden of dental caries in six countries, including the UK, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, and Italy. The research team, led by Professor Moritz Kebschull and Professor Iain Chapple from the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry, developed a simulation model to study the healthcare costs associated with managing dental caries from adolescence to middle age. The findings suggest that targeted preventative measures could dramatically reduce these costs.
The study’s simulation model was based on national-level data about decayed, missing, and filled teeth, as well as the likelihood of receiving interventions such as restorative procedures, tooth extraction, and replacement. The research team made clinically guided assumptions regarding different socioeconomic groups to estimate the economic impact of dental caries. The results showed that the economic burden of dental caries is highest in the most deprived groups, with the UK having the highest per-person costs at approximately £18,000 ($22,910) across the six countries.
Professor Iain Chapple, lead of the Oral, Intestinal and Systemic Health research theme at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, emphasized the need for early and sustained preventive measures to address the economic and health disparities associated with dental caries. By focusing on vulnerable populations, substantial cost savings and improved oral health outcomes can be achieved. The study supports a more inclusive public health approach to caries management, emphasizing prevention over treatment to enhance oral health in populations worldwide.
The research also analyzed the potential healthcare cost reduction resulting from the implementation of various preventive measures, including community water fluoridation, taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, education programs in schools, and oral health awareness campaigns. Individual-level measures such as maintaining good oral hygiene with fluoridated toothpaste and applying topical fluoride were also considered. If these interventions were applied uniformly across the population, caries progression rates could be reduced by 30%, with the greatest cost savings seen in the most deprived group. A levelling-up approach to preventive measures, targeting those most in need, could lead to even greater cost reductions.
Professor Moritz Kebschull, head of the Division for Periodontology and Oral Rehabilitation at the University of Birmingham, highlighted the importance of starting preventive care early to reduce dental caries in young children and continuing throughout their lives. Individuals in the most deprived groups tend to have more dental caries, leading to higher costs overall. Therefore, focusing on preventive care from a young age could help reduce the economic burden of dental caries. The study’s findings support the implementation of targeted preventative measures to improve oral health outcomes and reduce costs associated with dental caries for vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, the research underscores the critical need for early and sustained preventive measures to address the economic disparities associated with dental caries, particularly in vulnerable populations. By implementing targeted interventions such as community water fluoridation, education programs, and individual-level measures, significant cost savings and improved oral health outcomes can be achieved. A more inclusive public health approach to caries management, focusing on prevention rather than treatment, is essential to reduce the economic burden of dental caries and improve overall oral health in populations worldwide.
