01 AUGUST 2019

The Oral Health Foundation has launched its new strategy for oral health, which will run until 2024. 

The new strategy, titled ‘Better oral health for all’, addresses the world’s growing oral health demands. It also sets out how the charity will tackle oral disease and help improve the quality of life for millions of people in the UK and around the world.

The announcement comes at a time where half of British adults have tooth decay while one in four children will start school with decay in their baby teeth.

The charity is pledging to help the most vulnerable members of society by reducing dental disease and the pain and suffering that comes along with it.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, believes the charity’s new strategy can have a significant impact on oral health and wellbeing across local communities.

Dr Carter says: “We are more determined than ever before to champion good oral health and help create a better, healthier future for everyone.

“Despite many positive changes to the landscape of oral health, there is still more work to be done. Twice-daily brushing, an excess of sugar in our food and drink and access to basic dental services, all remain difficult challenges.

“We also have to address the rise of mouth cancer, along with driving high uptake of a gender-neutral vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV).  These are coupled with an ongoing need prevent dental caries and promote the benefits of fluoride.

“Poverty, mobility, independence and isolation all affect a person’s ability to care for their oral health. Our society must break these barriers and give everybody the opportunity to be in good oral health.”  

The Oral Health Foundation’s wants to see the strategy reduce the high level of oral disease across the country.

Running up to 2024, the charity is looking to give all people access to free, practical and emotional support for their oral health problems. They will also work to improve the accessibility and diversity of all oral health information and support services.

Within the strategy, the Oral Health Foundation are also prioritising the health of younger people.  The charity wants to make sure all children are given the very best start in life by providing them with the means to have a healthy mouth.

Throughout the five-year strategy, the charity will organise several new oral health campaigns on sugar, dementia, alcohol, smoking and drug awareness.  These factors have been identified because of the negative impact they have on oral health, general healthiness and wellbeing.

Professor Elizabeth Kay, President of the Oral Health Foundation, wants to continue tackling the core issues that are disrupting the oral health of millions across the world.

Professor Kay says: “Oral health inequalities and poor lifestyle factors continue to impact the most vulnerable members of our society through no real fault of their own. The Oral Health Foundation, through its ‘strategy to 2024’ will continue to lead the way in campaigning for better oral health and an improvement in quality of life.”

The Oral Health Foundation’s strategy 2024 in full can be downloaded in full here.