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Women being forced to grit their teeth and bear it when it comes to oral health

09 November 2023

Women being forced to grit their teeth and bear it when it comes to oral health

  • One-in-two women (50%) across the UK believe the cost-of-living-crisis is negatively impacting their oral health, according to data from a national survey.* 
  • Overall, there has been an uptick in anxiety around oral health, with cost-of-living concerns and an ongoing shortage of accessible NHS dentistry services.
  • Worries about the high cost of dental care are also particularly concerning for young adults, with a third of 25 to 34-year-olds (33%) exploring cheaper overseas treatment options.*  

For release 06/11/23 – Women face heightened oral health risks compared to men, thanks to the hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation, birth control, and menopause.

Now, newly-released data from the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index has shown that more women (48%) believe there has been no improvement to accessing dental services since the pandemic, compared to men (32%). 

The Index also found that nearly a third (32%) of women report they are less likely to visit a dentist due to the cost-of-living-crisis.  

The findings precede the publication of the Government's Dental Recovery Plan, which is due to be released ahead of the new year in an effort to tackle the UK’s NHS dental crisis. 

Unaffordable dentistry is also hitting young people hard. 56% of people aged 25 to 34-years-old believe their dental health will suffer amidst soaring living costs, and 1 in 3 would consider exploring overseas treatment options for affordability.* 

Separate research from Frontier Economics has shown the value preventative oral health measures – like chewing more sugar-free gum – could deliver, by avoiding the need for urgent treatments and making the need for check-ups less frequent. 

Introducing supervised toothbrushing programmes for children, expanding water fluoridation schemes, and encouraging the public to chew sugar-free gum could together save the NHS over £50 million per year, and save NHS dental patients £95.9m.

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said:

“Cost of living and access crises are creating a perfect storm. Millions are thinking twice about needed care if they’re lucky enough to find an appointment, while others are looking abroad.

“Every day that passes our patients are making choices that put their oral health at risk. The government cannot remain asleep at the wheel.”

Michael Dodds, BDS PhD, Senior Principal Scientist with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme said:

“It is crucial that any forward plan for dentistry considers preventive measures, such as promoting sugar-free gum, to enhance peoples’ oral health and ease pressures on our dental services.

 

 

 

“The Oral Health Index’s worrying findings show us that people risk missing out on much-needed dental treatment, due to pressures on services and the rising cost of living. Maintaining good oral health should not be a luxury – it is an essential part of our overall well-being. It helps people to boost their self-confidence, and enables them to carry out day-to-day activities like eating and speaking without discomfort or pain.

“The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme is committed to continuing working with the dental community, to support education around healthy, affordable oral health routines.” 

ENDS

Notes for editors

  • In July 2023, MPs from the Health and Social Care Committee issued a cross-party report urging the Government to reform the current dental contract, to move away from the ‘drill and fill’ culture and instead incentivise professionals to push preventive oral care.

 

About the Wrigley Oral Health Programme:

  • The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme partners with dental professionals worldwide, helping them improve their patients’ oral health through one additional simple and enjoyable step in their daily routine: chewing sugar-free gum after eating and drinking on-the-go.
  • We support independent clinical research into preventive dentistry; funding for local dental associations and governments; continuous professional development programs; and the development of education materials for patients.
  • The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme is proud to work with dental professionals to promote the role of at-home oral health tools that play an important role in preventative oral healthcare. Measures like brushing twice a day and flossing are key, whilst tools like sugar-free gum can play a vital part in protecting people’s oral health when they’re on the go. 


Oral Health Index Methodology:

  • The Oral Health Index research was conducted by Censuswide, with a total sample size of 6,001 nationally representative adults (aged 16+) across the UK. Fieldwork was conducted between 28th July and 1st August 2022. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.  
  • For further information on the Oral Health Index findings, or to speak to a spokesperson, please contact Yvette Evans at WOHP@lexcomm.co.uk or 07583604920. 

 

Economics report Methodology:

  • Frontier’s findings were based on a population size of 100,000 and assumes the measures will result in:
    • 90% of the English population benefitting from water fluoridation and 100% of the Welsh population. 
    • 70% of adults and children aged 10 and over chewing sugar free gum. 
    • 20% of children aged between 3 and 6 targeted with supervised brushing. 
  • For the purposes of this press release, Frontier’s sample size was scaled up to the England & Wales population. 
  • Frontier estimated the potential benefits of three preventative oral health interventions: water fluoridation, supervised brushing and sugar-free gum.
  • Frontier’s approach had four stages:
  1. Gathered together the published evidence on these preventative interventions.
  2. Identified the reduction in oral health problems (e.g. tooth decay) that is estimated to result from each intervention.

    3 https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/40901/documents/199172/default/
     
  3. Estimated the dental treatments (e.g. tooth extractions) that could be avoided as a result.
  4. Estimated the cost saving to the NHS and NHS patients from avoided dental treatments.
  • Frontier gathered evidence and data from clinical and academic literature and from the NHS.
  • Frontier built an economic model to estimate the financial savings using this approach.
  • Frontier analysed multiple scenarios, to test the sensitivity of the results to changes in the underlying assumptions.
  • Frontier identified areas where this analysis could be improved upon in future research.
  • Frontier’s report is available in full, upon request.

 

*Strongly agree and somewhat agree combined

 

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Rolling out measures to prevent tooth decay – including chewing more sugar-free gum – could save the NHS over £50m a year

22 May 2023

  • New research from Frontier Economics has estimated cost savings to the NHS and patients of rolling out oral health measures to prevent tooth decay.
  • The oral health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum three times per day could prevent over 180,000 fillings a year alone.
  • Introducing a package of three preventative policies could save NHS dentistry £51m and NHS dental patients almost £100m annually.

A new report commissioned by the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme has found that rolling out three preventative oral health interventions could reduce unnecessary trips to the dentist, saving individuals and the NHS millions of pounds, while freeing up capacity to deliver up to 8.3m more check-ups.

The report, Economic Value of Good Oral Health, was undertaken by Frontier Economics and has today been launched by the Wrigley to mark the Oral Health Foundation’s National Smile Month.

It shows that if most people chewed sugar-free chewing gum three times a day, there could be an estimated 109,430 fewer tooth extractions carried out on the NHS every year. Additionally, there would be up to 182,383 fewer fillings and 36,477 fewer root canals. The associated savings to NHS dental services could reach over £7.9m – which, if reinvested, could fund an additional 1.29m check-ups every year.

Chewing sugar-free gum was one of three potential preventative interventions measured by Frontier Economics.

In addition, rolling out water fluoridation to the 90% of the population who are not already covered in England and Wales would reduce incidents of tooth decay by an estimated 6%. The resultant impact would be an estimated 1.2m fewer tooth extractions, 1.6m fewer fillings, and over 226,000 fewer root canal treatments every year. NHS dental services would stand to save over £35m per year as a result – the equivalent of funding 5.7m check-ups.

A programme of supervised brushing, targeted at children aged between three and six living in the poorest 20% of areas, would save the NHS £8m a year. The measure could lead to 28,000 fewer tooth extractions, 28,000 fewer fillings, and 2,700 fewer root canal treatments per year.

In total, if all three oral health prevention policies were rolled out in England and Wales, it is calculated that combined savings to the NHS could reach £51m and there could be up to:

  • 1.43m fewer tooth extractions;
  • 1.8m fewer fillings; and
  • Over 265,000 fewer root canal treatments every year.

Meanwhile, NHS dental patients could save up to £95.9m collectively by avoiding the need for urgent treatments and making the need for check-ups less frequent.

Commenting on the launch of the report, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation said:

“The NHS is currently struggling to fund the dentistry this country needs and deserves. Pressures on staffing are hitting all areas of health care. A simple increase in funding will not sort out these problems for several years. In the meantime, it is evident that if we can move to a preventative approach, we can have much healthier mouths.

“We can reach all areas of society with the implementation of more water fluoridation schemes. If we take on the suggested plans for fluoridation in the new report, it will result in an estimated 1.2m fewer tooth extractions and 1.6m fewer fillings every year. The oral health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum three times per day could also prevent a substantial number of fillings a year, a fantastic result from a very simple habit.

“We need to make impactful and long-term changes to how we handle oral health in the UK to secure a better oral health future. It would help relieve pressure on NHS funding for dentistry and improve people’s oral health related quality of life. Having a healthy mouth is an essential part of having good overall general health.”

Dr Mike Dodds, BDS PhD, Senior Principal Scientist with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program, said:

“The evidence has long shown that sugar-free chewing gum can promote good oral health. Chewing gum can help neutralise plaque acids, maintain tooth mineralisation, and reduce the incidence of dental caries.

“We know that dental services are under real strain right now, with a backlog from the pandemic still being worked through. So the role of preventative policies, that can help reduce demand on services, is more important than ever.

“Chewing sugar-free gum is one simple, effective and enjoyable thing people can do to prevent tooth decay and support good oral health.”

Speaking to the research, Matthew Bell, Board Director and co-Head of Public Policy at Frontier Economics said:

“Oral health is important for overall health, which can also translate into lower dental costs for individuals and for the NHS.

“Our report draws on existing evidence and presents new analysis linking improved oral health measures, such as fluoridation, sugar-free gum and supervised brushing programmes, to reduced dental costs for individuals and for the NHS, alongside improved health and wellbeing.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

  • For further information on the findings, or to speak to a spokesperson, please contact Francesca Forrester Wood at WOHP@lexcomm.co.uk or 07534 160 828. Copies of Frontier Economics’ report are available on request.
  • Frontier’s findings were based on a population size of 100,000 and assumes the measures will result in:

    • 90% of the English population benefitting from water fluoridation and 100% of the Welsh population.
    • 70% of adults and children aged 10 and over chewing sugar free gum.
    • 20% of children aged between 3 and 6 targeted with supervised brushing.

  • For the purposes of this press release, Frontier’s sample size was scaled up to the England & Wales population.
  • NHS England spends around £2.3 billion on dentistry each year, but people in many areas do not have access to a local NHS dentist – creating so-called ‘dental deserts’ across the country. Nine in ten NHS dental practices across the UK are not accepting new adult patients for treatments under the health service, and eight in ten are not taking on children.
  • A YouGov poll of 1,723 adults for the British Dental Association recently found that 23 per cent delay appointments or go without NHS dental treatment because of the cost. Just under a third of people haven’t seen a dental professional in the last two years.
  • This latest report builds on previous research which has found that chewing sugar-free gum could lead to cost savings for the NHS by reducing the need for treatment (Claxon L, et al – Oral health promotion: The economic benefits to the NHS of increased use of sugarfree gum in the UK, 2016).

Methodology:

  • Frontier estimated the potential benefits of three preventative oral health interventions: water fluoridation, supervised brushing and sugar-free gum.
  • Frontier’s approach had four stages:

    • Gathered together the published evidence on these preventative interventions.
    • Identified the reduction in oral health problems (e.g. tooth decay) that is estimated to result from each intervention.
    • Estimated the dental treatments (e.g. tooth extractions) that could be avoided as a result.
    • Estimated the cost saving to the NHS and NHS patients from avoided dental treatments.

  • Frontier gathered evidence and data from clinical and academic literature and from the NHS.
  • Frontier built an economic model to estimate the financial savings using this approach.
  • Frontier analysed multiple scenarios, to test the sensitivity of the results to changes in the underlying assumptions.
  • Frontier identified areas where this analysis could be improved upon in future research.
  • Frontier’s report is available in full, upon request.
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New data: The Wrigley Oral Health Index reveals a third of Gen Z would resort to ‘DIY’ dentistry due to a lack of access to a dentist

16 March 2023

Over a third (34%) of ‘Gen Z’ respondents to a new poll agree they would resort to ‘DIY’ dentistry measures, including self-tooth extraction, due to a lack of access to dental care. Shockingly, 16 – 24 year olds are feeling the most pressure to resort to such extreme measures, compared to just 12% of respondents over the age of 55. Experts are calling for the Government to prioritise putting prevention at the heart of dental care


Over a third (34%) of ‘Gen Z’ respondents to a new poll agree they would resort to ‘DIY’ dentistry measures, including self-tooth extraction, due to a lack of access to dental care. Shockingly, 16 – 24 year olds are feeling the most pressure to resort to such extreme measures, compared to just 12% of respondents over the age of 55. Experts are calling for the Government to prioritise putting prevention at the heart of dental care

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index has revealed that respondents overwhelmingly want the Government to do more to support the dental profession. Over three quarters (77%) of people surveyed agreed that the Government could do more to promote oral health – with only 4% disagreeing.

Recent NHS dentistry statistics revealed a 9.5% decrease in adults being seen for NHS dental treatment in the 24 months up to June 2022 from the previous year, and a 25% reduction in the 24 months up to June 2019.

The real life impact of this has been reflected in the Index. 68% of those surveyed agreed that there is a crisis in the provision of dental services, and, over half (54%) agree there is a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing dental services. A recent House of Commons briefing paper on dentistry evidenced this, revealing that dental schools are unevenly distributed across the country and places like the East of England have none.

With the Government’s Health and Social Care Committee launching an inquiry into NHS dentistry, it is vital that prevention in oral healthcare is recognised as a priority to support the dental industry and protect the nation’s oral health.

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme is proud to work with dental professionals to promote the role of at-home oral health tools that play an important role in preventative oral healthcare. Measures like brushing twice a day and flossing are key, whilst tools like sugarfree gum can play a vital part in protecting people’s oral health when they’re on the go.

Michael Dodds, Senior Principal Scientist for Oral Health at Mars Wrigley said:

“Our survey has revealed some critical statistics about the lengths people would go to rectify their oral health challenges, even going so far as considering extracting their own teeth. While we know that dentists have done - and continue to do - all they can to support patients through the impact that COVID-19 has had, ongoing challenges like the cost of living mean we need to look for low-cost, impactful ways to protect your oral health. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are important steps, but in addition sugarfree gum is an effective, accessible and inexpensive way to protect your teeth on the go.”

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said:

“In a civilised society no one with toothache should be reaching for pliers and a bottle of gin. Underfunded and overstretched, COVID has pushed already struggling services to breaking point, leaving millions with no options. This access crisis was made in Westminster. Government has a moral responsibility to consign ‘DIY dentistry’ back to the Victorian era.”

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation said:

“DIY dentistry is often seen a last resort and is sadly becoming more common as the UK faces growing problems accessing NHS dentistry. By performing their own dental treatment, a person can cause severe and long-term damage to their mouth. This should be avoided at all costs.”

“By adopting a few simple habits, people can prevent oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease, that sadly remain far too common.”

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Wrigley Week’ National Smile Month podcast series launched

12 August 2022

For National Smile Month this year, the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme sponsored a ‘Wrigley Week’ podcast series in conjunction with the Oral Health Foundation.

The podcasts were focused on a range of topics, from the impact of COVID-19 on the dental industry to the importance of educating patients on prevention. We hope you find them both informative and interesting as we all continue to support better oral health outcomes. Find out more about each podcast and listen below.


Oral Health and Prevention

Professor Avijit Banerjee, Professor of Cariology & Operative Dentistry and Professor Tim Newton, Professor and Consultant in Psychology as Applied to Dentistry at King’s College London discuss the increased role of prevention in good oral health routines, especially post-COVID, and how sugarfree gum can act as an additional tool to tackle caries.  https://player.acast.com/oral-health/episodes/oral-health-and-prevention

On the Go Oral Health

Dr Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation discusses how we can look after our oral health while we’re on the go, including long journeys, in-between meals and what to do if you forget to brush! https://player.acast.com/oral-health/episodes/on-the-go-oral-health

Oral Health and COVID-19 Impact

In another episode, Dr Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation discusses the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral healthcare and the dental industry, as well as how it has affected oral health outcomes and access to care.

Oral Health at Work

Dr Michael Dodds, Senior Principal and Lead Oral Health Scientist at Mars Wrigley, discusses oral health in the workplace and what more we can do to manage our oral health at work ourselves. https://player.acast.com/oral-health/episodes/oral-health-at-work

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