Professor Philip Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, reflects on new research which examines the financial and human cost of gum disease, and what it might mean for the dental sector as the post-pandemic recovery continues.
A report commissioned by the European Federation of Periodontology and published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) provides a comprehensive analysis of the financial and human cost of gum disease in six Western European countries - including the UK.
The report - Time to take gum disease seriously: The societal and economic impact of periodontitis - explains how more effective prevention of gum disease could save billions in healthcare costs and lead to healthier lives.
It shows little progress has been made in Western Europe in the prevention and management of periodontitis, with prevalence remaining largely unchanged over the last 25 years. One key factor highlighted by the report is that many people visit a dentist only when they have a problem and avoid regular appointments because of the cost. The NHS does not currently recognise the need for regular and individually tailored plans for the treatment of gum disease particularly in patients who are at high risk from progression to tooth loss and commissioning of such care pathways is woefully missing in all devolved governments health planning.
This report shows that more investment in oral health is vital and could save the NHS money in the long-run, but I fear the pandemic has set us even further back, as the current restrictions on practices mean that lots of patients have been unable to see their dentist for routine check-ups which could aid the prevention of gum disease and flag problems at an earlier stage.
Instead, many dentists can still only see emergency patients, and those who have contacted their dentist with specific concerns.
With no sign of significant progress in restrictions for dental practices, I fear we face years of disruption before we can seriously begin to address gum disease prevention.
I have also been vocal about my belief that all NHS dental treatments should be free for everyone.
The Scottish Government recently announced it will be scrapping dental charges for young adults aged between 18 and 25. While this is great news and a step in the right direction, I think further steps could be taken.
Aneurin Bevan led the establishment of the NHS in order to provide medical care that is free at point-of-need to all, regardless of wealth. While we are lucky to have access to lots of free NHS services, unfortunately, dentistry isn’t one of them.
A charge for dentures was first introduced in 1951 with payments for other dental treatments subsequently introduced. I believe it is time for these charges to be scrapped in order to return to the original principle of the NHS.
Once our profession is better placed to see more patients and conduct more routine checks, it is essential that everyone has the same level of access to dental care. This will also help us take an important step towards gum disease prevention, as this report highlights, financial considerations can play a part in whether or not a person goes for regular check-ups.
We are yet to truly realise the impact the pandemic has had on the oral health of the UK, but it is likely the already harsh distinction between whose who can afford to pay and those who cannot, will have been severely exacerbated.
We must utilise this moment in time as an opportunity to assess and amend how we provide dental care in the UK, for the benefit of all.
The full report can be accessed here.