A recent study by Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany has highlighted the high global cost of oral diseases, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.
These conditions cost the world around $710 billion each year.
Researchers found that oral health problems not only have high treatment costs but also lead to significant productivity losses due to missed work and decreased efficiency.
The study, led by Professor Stefan Listl and published in the Journal of Dental Research, emphasizes the need for better prevention and affordable dental care worldwide.
In fact, dental treatments are now the third-highest healthcare expense in the European Union, following cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The study’s findings were important enough to be included in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first Global Oral Health Status Report, which lays out a plan for global oral health improvements from 2023 to 2030.
The study reviewed data from 194 countries, estimating both direct costs (expenses for dental treatments) and indirect costs (losses in productivity due to dental diseases) for the year 2019.
It found that $387 billion of the total costs were due to direct dental care expenses, while $323 billion resulted from lost productivity.
Most productivity losses were linked to gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth loss, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of the total.
The study also revealed that dental care spending varies widely between countries. In high-income countries, about $260 per person is spent on dental care each year, while in low-income countries, only about $0.52 per person is spent annually.
Germany, for example, spent about $372 per person on dental care in 2019, with indirect costs of $232 per person due to lost productivity.
Despite these expenses, many people worldwide lack access to adequate dental care, especially in rural areas and among vulnerable groups, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.
Professor Listl pointed out that even in a wealthy country like Germany, there are challenges in providing consistent dental care to everyone, especially in rural areas with fewer dental practices.
According to the WHO, more than 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases globally. Most dental issues are chronic but can often be prevented with good oral hygiene practices and regular dental checkups.
The WHO emphasizes that prevention-focused dental care systems are essential to reduce the high costs and impacts of oral health issues. Strategies to improve oral health worldwide include reducing sugar consumption, providing affordable dental care, and better planning for dental care needs.
Professor Listl and his team hope that regularly updated data on the economic impact of oral diseases will encourage governments to invest more in preventive dental care. Their research highlights that a focus on prevention could help countries avoid the high costs associated with untreated oral health issues.
The WHO will address these issues at its first global oral health meeting in Bangkok from November 26 to 29. Professor Listl will attend as a co-coordinator for a session focused on using economic insights to shape effective oral health policies worldwide.
If you care about gum health, please read studies about an important causes of tooth decay and gum disease, and common tooth disease that may increase risks of dementia.
For more health information, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
