A new global report has ranked how 40 nations around the world manage tooth decay. Tooth decay causes a range of problems and its management is important, as it can lessen economic burden and promote strong oral hygiene. The results were positive for Canada. The report also provided a range of recommendations for further improvements.
A new report has been published which has analyzed and ranked how 40 countries around the world manage tooth decay [1].
Tooth decay causes significant productivity losses and problems for the workforce and the global economy. Therefore, managing tooth decay effectively is important for nations.
Canada ranked in the top three, which is very positive. However, there is room for improvement for the nation, with the aim of lessening tooth decay rates.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is the most common oral disease in the world. It affects approximately 2.3 billion people around the world [2].
Tooth decay is typically caused by factors like poor oral hygiene, a diet high in sugar, or a lack of exposure to fluoride. It affects people all around the globe.
Bacteria in the mouth breaks down food debris or sugar, which results in acid being form. Acid breaks down enamel, resulting in tooth decay. Eventually, a cavity will develop, which results in a filling being needed.
However, tooth decay is largely preventable. Many nations do not have a preventative approach towards tooth decay, resulting in problems affecting the workforce and wider economy.
The Report
The global report was published as part of the Health Inclusivity Index, which is a research initiative by Economist Impact [1].
The report involved 40 nations from across all six inhabited continents. Some of the world’s biggest nations were included in the analysis [1].
Canada ranked third out of the 40 nations in managing tooth decay [1]. This is a positive finding, which suggests that Canada is taking oral health seriously and making steps towards lessening the damage of tooth decay.
However, Canada still loses $606 million in productivity each year due to untreated or poorly managed tooth decay [1]. So there is clearly room for improvement.
The United States finished first out of the 40 nations [1]. This is very good to see, considering the large population of the nation. Hopefully, they will continue to manage tooth decay effectively.
Switzerland finished second in the study. The United Kingdom placed fourth, with Australia finishing fifth [1]. These rankings were based on the per-person costs of managing tooth decay among those aged 12 to 65.
The report found that preventive approaches towards oral problems could achieve a 30% reduction in tooth decay for those aged 12-65 [1].
Interestingly, the report also found that tooth decay disproportionately affects those with low income.
The impact of tooth decay
The report found that tooth decay causes a significant economic burden. For example, the lifetime costs across all 40 nations are estimated to be $977.9 billion [1]. This is a staggering amount.
The report suggests that improving oral health through improved education and access to preventative care could reduce lifetime tooth decay costs by $196 billion [1].
In Canada alone, this would save $3.2 billion, according to the report. It could save the United States $34.9 billion – representing a significant saving [1].
As mentioned above, tooth decay disproportionately affects low-income individuals. Therefore, the report suggests that having a specific focus on low-income groups could almost double savings – with the report estimating that this could result in a $358 billion saving [1].
The report suggests that in Canada, targeting low-income Canadians could save $5.9 billion [1]. This could help to lessen the disparity between those with different incomes.
These are significant savings. The money saved could be used in better ways, such as improving oral health education and funding important research into oral health advancements.
Recommendations
The report provided a range of recommendations. Overall, the authors urged nations to “take a broad-based approach to preventing tooth decay” [1].
The report suggests that “raising awareness of the need for oral hygiene is essential, such as encouraging people to brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss, and eat a healthier diet with less foods that are high in sugar” [1].
This could be supported by wider preventive efforts like anti-smoking legislation, water fluoridation, and taxing sugary drinks [1].
But the authors state that such actions cannot be achieved solely by dentists. Instead, they argue that countries and governments need to act. Improving access to a wider range of oral professionals, like hygienists, can also help [1].
Tooth decay and other oral health problems also cause a wider problem, including their subsequent impact on physical health problems.
For example, the report found that better management of gum disease could prevent 57 million cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide. Moreover, this would generate around $250 billion in economic gains over approximately 10 years [1].
In conclusion, the report makes it abundantly clear that tooth decay causes a range of problems. Prevention is crucial and could result in huge economic savings.
Hopefully we will see awareness of the importance of oral hygiene improve around the world, which should result in widescale benefits to the health for the world’s population.
Thinking points…
[1] The report underlines the problems that tooth decay cause. One of the most important aspects of managing tooth decay is early intervention. The sooner that decay is spotted, the more time there is to manage its development. At dental check-ups, a dentist will check for tooth decay and provide advice on its management, or treatment if necessary. Therefore, we recommend that you book an appointment soon!
[2] The report provided many recommendations to governments and health policymakers around the world. But they also provided recommendations for the general public to prevent tooth decay. These included brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, cutting back on sugar, consuming fluoridated water, and attending regular dental check-ups. Have a think – how many of these recommendations are you following? Try to follow them all!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
