Economic burden of tooth decay: UK leads with per-person costs of £18,000

The UK incurs substantial healthcare costs for managing dental caries (tooth decay), with per-person expenses estimated at £18,000, a new study has revealed. This figure is notably higher than those reported in countries such as Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, and Italy. Published in BMC Public Health and commissioned by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), the study also found that the economic impact of tooth decay is disproportionately higher in the most deprived groups. Researchers, including Professors Moritz Kebschull and Iain Chapple from the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry, suggested that targeted preventative measures could help reduce this financial burden dramatically. “Our study highlights the critical need for early and sustained preventive measures to address the economic and health disparities associated with dental caries,” said Professor Chapple. “By focusing on the most vulnerable populations, we can achieve substantial cost savings and improve overall oral health outcomes.”