The implications of a cost-of-living crisis for oral health and dental care

• Published in: British dental journal Vol. 234; no. 7; pp. 501 - 504
• Main Authors: Cope, Anwen L., Chestnutt, Ivor G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 14-04-2023; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Dental Care; Dental disorders; Dentistry; Disposable income; Fluoride treatments; Food security; Health disparities; Humans; Hygiene; Income; Opinion; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene; Poverty; Toothbrushing; United Kingdom > UK
• ISSN: 0007-0610; 1476-5373
• DOI: 10.1038/s41415-023-5685-0

A cost-of-living crisis is currently affecting the UK. While this has been explored in terms of the effect on dental practice, the dental implications for patients and for population oral health have not received sufficient attention. This opinion piece discusses how: i) financial pressures leading to hygiene poverty may limit the ability to afford the basic products necessary to maintain oral hygiene; ii) food insecurity is associated with a diet high in sugar and lacking in appropriate nutrition; and iii) reduced disposable income may limit the ability to attend and successfully engage with dental care. The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the lowest paid members of the dental team is also considered.
The most common dental diseases are closely correlated with social and economic deprivation and the points discussed here act as a reminder of how the present financial circumstances have significant potential to widen oral health inequalities.
Key points
The cost-of-living crisis currently affecting the UK has the potential to impact significantly on oral health and to widen oral health inequalities.
Adhering to the simple messages of twice daily toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste, reduction in sugar consumption, and dental attendance, are adversely impacted by hygiene poverty, food insecurity and a reduction in disposable income.
Discussions about the cost-of-living in dentistry should also consider the impact of the crisis on the lowest paid members of the dental team.