Dental data that might not make everyone smile!
– Dental data that might not make everyone smile!
The British Dental Health Foundation is kicking off National Smile Month 2013 from May 20 and the campaign organisers have put together some very interesting facts and figures about our nation’s oral health – see above graphic.
According to the Foundation’s guide on the National Smile Month 2013 not everyone looks after their oral health.
In fact, according to their research, one in four people still don’t brush their teeth twice a day while four in ten don’t visit their dentist as regularly
as recommended. This has led to one in 10 adults suffering from tooth decay and a further two in three having visible dental plaque.
Their findings into the UK’s attitudes to oral health further discovered that when it comes to attitudes to oral health care –
• 60 per cent of people aged 65 and over regret not looking after their teeth in earlier life
• 67 per cent of 16-24 year olds worry more about their teeth compared to the same age group five
years ago
When it comes to Work and oral health the research uncovered the following statistics –
• 43 per cent of the UK workforce is allowed to take paid time off work to visit their dentist
• 13 per cent of workers have to take time off without pay to visit their dentist
• Nearly three in every ten people (29 per cent) take holiday or visit the dentist in their own time
• 62 per cent of parentssaid they eithertook unpaid leave or holiday to take their children to the
dentist
• 7 per cent of people say they have had a sick day due to poor oral health in the past five years
• 4 per cent of adults say they have had to take a day off work to look after a child’s tooth problem
The British Dental Health Foundation stated:
“It isn’t all down in the mouth.To coincide with National Smile Month, we’ve seen some great improvements in oral health.
The UK is one of the most likely nations in Europe to visit their dentist for
a check-up – helping to prevent the battle against poor oral health.
“The UK was ranked second(72 per cent), after the Netherlands (79per cent),in a recent survey.
“There’s more good news.Over three fifths of adults in England and Northern Ireland (61per cent and
60 per cent respectively) and over two thirds inWales and Scotland (both 69 per cent) now attend their dentists regularly.
In 1978, the figure was just 44 per cent in England and 39 per cent in Wales.”
If you’re one of the people who doesn’t visit the dentist as often as recommended make the decision to change your oral health maintenance routine – and book an appointment for check-up!
Our team here at our Glasgow dental clinic is hear to help. You can contact us on 0141 339 7579.
*Sources used by the British Dental Health Foundation:
• AdultDentalHealth Survey 1978 and 2009 (England,Wales and Northern Ireland).
• NHSDental Epidemiology Programme for England -Oral Health Survey of 12 year old Children 2008 / 2009.
• NHSDental Epidemiology Programme for England;Oral Health Survey of five year old children, 2007/2008.
• National Dental Survey, British Dental Health Foundation, 2007 & 2010.
