Although oral health in England has improved significantly over the past 30 years, there are still both children and adults with unacceptable levels of tooth decay.
According to the Adult Oral Health Survey in 2021, one in 10 adults reported experiencing pain from their teeth, fillings, crowns or fixed bridges, and a quarter reported damaged teeth, fillings, crowns or fixed bridges. Almost 1 in 5 adults said they had been told they had gum disease. The prevalence of dental pain, damaged teeth and gum disease was higher among those in more deprived neighbourhoods or in lower income quintiles (Adult Oral Health Survey).
Between April and June 2022, a sample of 5 year olds living in the most deprived neighbourhoods in four Kent districts received a dental examination. This report on oral health in chlidren summarises those findings. Almost one in five of the children had tooth decay. Advice and guidance was provided to parents and carers in the form of letters and telephone calls.
A number of organisations produce statistics relating to oral health, both at national and local level.