When it comes to healthcare, one crucial factor is still being overlooked – oral health. For too long, the mouth has been treated as separate from the rest of the body, despite mounting evidence that poor oral health fuels systemic diseases, from diabetes to heart conditions. This divide in healthcare is costing lives, worsening health inequalities, and placing an unsustainable burden on the NHS.
Right now, millions across the UK struggle to access dental care, particularly in rural and coastal communities. A lack of NHS dentists, funding cuts, and soaring demand mean that many patients are left suffering in silence, unable to get the treatment they need. The consequences go far beyond toothache – untreated oral diseases can escalate into serious, life-altering conditions.
The urgency for change is clear. We must close the oral health gap by prioritising prevention, integrating oral health into wider healthcare strategies, and ensuring access to dental care is a right, not a privilege. If we continue to ignore the problem, we risk a future where poor oral health becomes an accepted norm – something no healthcare system should tolerate.
Understanding the oral health gap
The stark divide in oral health across the UK is growing, and the consequences are impossible to ignore. A severe shortage of NHS dentists – combined with soaring demand – has created a system where getting a routine appointment can feel like winning the lottery.
The numbers paint a grim picture. Meeting the needs of a growing and ageing population will require a 40% increase in dentists. In Yorkshire and the Humber, childhood tooth extractions due to decay stand at a staggering 454 per 100,000 children. In contrast, the East Midlands sees just 70 per 100,000. The reality is clear: where you live in the UK shouldn’t determine whether you get to keep your teeth, yet for many, it does.
Collaboration and patient education
Fixing this crisis will take time, investment, and political will. But while systemic change is essential, we cannot afford to wait. In the meantime, education and prevention must be front and centre.
Healthcare and dental professionals must join forces to empower the public with the knowledge they need to take charge of their oral health. Large-scale health campaigns, community outreach, and stronger links between medical and dental services can drive change.
Research also has a vital role to play. By deepening our understanding of the relationship between oral and overall health, we can create clearer care pathways and more effective referral systems. The evidence is there – now we need action.
Breaking down barriers to integrated care
Right now, a postcode lottery dictates who gets dental care and who doesn’t. ‘Dental deserts’ – areas with dangerously low access to NHS dentists – are worsening the crisis. In the hardest-hit regions, there are as many as 2,776 patients for every NHS dentist. Seven of England’s 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) saw their dentist-patient ratio rise by at least 10% last year, while only 14 saw an improvement.
When patients are forced to go without dental care, the consequences ripple across the entire healthcare system. Poor oral health isn’t just about cavities – it increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. If we fail to tackle this crisis now, we will be left dealing with far more complex and expensive health issues down the line.
The NHS must prioritise strategic planning for dental services, ensuring fair access across all regions. Investing in prevention and expanding services will not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce pressure on an already overstretched healthcare system.
The link between oral and systemic health
The evidence linking oral health to overall health is overwhelming. One of the clearest examples is diabetes, which significantly increases the risk of oral health complications:
- Gum disease – Impaired healing leads to red, swollen, and bleeding gums, potentially resulting in tooth loss.
- Tooth decay – Elevated blood sugar increases sugar levels in saliva, accelerating decay.
- Dry mouth – Reduced saliva flow heightens the risk of cavities.
- Fungal infections – A sore, red tongue with a white coating is a common symptom.
- Denture discomfort – Oral sores and infections make wearing dentures painful.
Globally, 415 million people have diabetes, a figure expected to rise to 600 million by 2035. Meanwhile, research suggests that up to 90% of people will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives. The link between these conditions means that tackling them requires a joint effort from both dental and medical professionals. True healthcare integration means recognising the mouth as part of the body, not separate from it.
Conclusion
The UK’s oral health gap is a public health crisis that demands urgent attention. The stakes are high – without action, we risk creating a two-tier system where only the privileged can access essential dental care.
Closing this gap means prioritising prevention, increasing access to NHS dentistry, and integrating oral health into wider healthcare strategies. We must advocate for policies that make dental care a right, not a privilege. The time for change is now – because good oral health isn’t just about smiles; it’s about saving lives.
References
- NHS Digital. NHS dental statistics 2022-23 annual report. Retrieved from https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statistics/2022-23-annual-report
- Office for National Statistics. Population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- Watt, R., Venturelli, R., & Daly, B. (2019). Understanding and tackling oral health inequalities in vulnerable adult populations: from the margins to the mainstream. British Dental Journal, 227, 49-54. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0472-7
- Pro Dental (2023). Online seminar presented by Professor Iain Chapple, Professor of Periodontology, University of Birmingham, and Jason Wong, Deputy Chief Dental Officer England. April 19, 2023.
- GOV.UK. (2024). Short statistical commentary for hospital tooth extractions in 0- to 19-year-olds. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/
