Oral diseases: a global public health challenge

Oral health is an integral element of overall health and wellbeing, enabling essential daily functions

Oral diseases include a range of chronic clinical conditions that affect the teeth and mouth, including dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) disease, and oral cancers

Despite being largely preventable, oral diseases are highly prevalent conditions, affecting more than 3·5 billion people around the world; dental caries is the most common disease globally with increasing prevalence in many low-income and middle-income countries

Oral diseases disproportionally affect poorer and marginalised groups in society, being closely linked to socioeconomic status and the broader social determinants of health

Oral diseases have substantial effects, causing pain, sepsis, reduced quality of life, lost school days, family disruption, and decreased work productivity, and the costs of dental treatment can be considerable for both the individual and the wider health-care system

Oral conditions share common risk factors with other non-communicable diseases, which include free sugar consumption, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption, as well as the wider social and commercial determinants of health

Of particular concern is the effect of free sugar consumption on the prevalence of caries and overweight or obesity, and associated conditions such as diabetes

Recognition is increasing of the influence, power, and effect of the global sugar industry as a threat to public health, which requires tighter regulation and legislation by governments.