Key Summary
- Around 41 million UK adults do not regularly visit oral health professionals
- Nearly 8 out of 10 UK adults believe that oral health plays a significant role in overall physical health and mental wellbeing
- Over a quarter of oral health professionals believe UK adults are not fully aware of basic dental hygiene
Nearly three-quarters (75 percent) of UK adults, around 41 million people, are not regularly visiting a dentist, and this is taking a toll on the nation’s oral health, says a new study by consumer health company Haleon.
The survey also found that a majority of oral health professionals (64 percent) believe that the nation’s oral health is on the decline.
Over a quarter (28 percent) of oral health professionals believe that their patients don't have a good grasp on basic dental hygiene, including simple steps such as brushing their teeth twice a day for two minutes.
Though a majority (78 percent) of UK adults believe that oral health plays a significant role in overall physical health and mental wellbeing, 41 percent expressed concern about the state of their own oral health.
The surveys were conducted in February this year and covered a nationally representative sample of 2,001 people and 250 oral health professionals.
The study pointed out that the calls made to the 111 NHS helpline regarding dental problems reached an annual record high of over 1.2 million across 2023-2024.
The cost to the NHS for treating people with oral health conditions is around £3.6 billion per year.
Haleon, which owns brands such as Sensodyne, Aquafresh and Corsodyl, has called upon people to practise good oral hygiene and take preventive steps by regularly consulting oral health professionals.
The company wants the UK government to collaborate with industry and the dentistry profession to prioritise preventative oral healthcare as part of its 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS.
Haleon general manager Jo Cooper observed that people are struggling to access oral health care, and this is impacting the nation’s oral health.
"It is critical that we take action to reverse this trend," he added.
