Quick Global Facts on Oral Healthcare and Diseases
- 90% of the world's population will suffer from oral disease in their lifetime ranging from caries,periodontal diseases and tooth decay to oral cancer.
- Only 60% of the world's population enjoys access to oral health care.
- 60%-90% of school children worldwide have dental caries.
- The incidence of oral cancer is between 1 and 10cases per 100,000 in most countries.
- Oral cancer is the eighth most common form of cancer in the world and the most costly to treat.
- The risk for oral cancer is 15 times higher when the two main risk factors, tobacco use and alcohol are combined.
- 5%-10% of public health expenditure in high-income countries is related to oral health.
- Toothache is the number one reason for absenteeism from schools in many countries.
- High consumption of sugar is the number one risk factor for tooth decay and diabetes. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low-middle income countries.
- In the USA, it is estimated that 30-40 million people avoid dental treatment every year due to anxiety and fears.
- Although in developed countries, the burden of oral diseases is decreasing, gum complications are more common, especially in older people. Major risk factors, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and a diet high in fat, salt and sugar, contribute to a range of chronic diseases including oral disease.
- Tobacco use is responsible for up to half of all periodontal (gum) diseases. These types of diseases are directly linked to diabetes, heart disease, pre-term birth, low birth weights and other health issues.
- Oral health has also a huge impact on general health and on other issues such as self-confidence, problems with social interactions and disrupts crucial functions like speaking and sleeping.
- The first line of oral health care is with the individual through prevention, especially good brushing habits and regular check-ups.
- There are over one million qualified dentists worldwide who, using modern dental treatments can restore almost all functions and aesthetics of a healthy dentition, however, they are not equally distributed leaving many of the poorest and most needy regions of the world with fewer than one dentist per 300,000 people.