Introduction
This document summarises the oral health needs of the population of North Tyneside. It identifies key oral health inequalities, populations affected and current actions to meet these needs. Unmet oral health needs are identified as well as a summary of current evidence for improving oral health for local consideration.
Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England but it largely preventable. Poor oral health can affect many areas of a young person’s life including their ability to eat, speak, and socialise. These children will then carry their poor oral health into adulthood causing lifelong issues.
Tooth decay not only causes high health costs but also high financial costs. Public Health England report that tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admission in 6–10-year-olds. The costs to the NHS of treating oral health conditions is around £3.6 billion per year.
This JSNA focuses on non-specialist preventative measures which benefit the population. It does not focus on access to specialist dental services for both preventative and acute care. Although specialist services are essential for good oral health this is outside the scope of this JSNA.
Local authorities are statutorily required to provide or commission oral health promotion programmes to improve the health of the local population. They are also required to provide or commission oral health surveys.
What is Oral Health
Oral health is the state of the mouth, teeth and orofacial structures that enable individuals to perform essential functions such as eating breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialise and work without pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Oral diseases encompass a range of diseases and conditions that include dental caries, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, oro-dental trauma, and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate.
Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common non communicable disease worldwide and in the UK. It’s caused by a diet too high in sugary food and drinks alongside improper dental hygiene. Sugars are broken down by micro-organisms in the plaque on teeth which cause the production of acid which demineralises teeth over time. Tooth decay can result in pain and require dental treatment, in the most severe cases tooth removal.
Periodontal diseases are caused by inflammation of the tooth supporting tissues referred to as the gums triggered by dental plaque. The most common forms are gingivitis (reversable inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (inflammation resulting in a loss of periodontal attachment). At its most severe periodontitis can result in tooth loss.
Dental trauma can occur anywhere at any time. Accidental damage is most common in children and young people and usually affects the front teeth. Dental trauma can be complex and require long term dental care.
Oral cancer refers to cancers of the tongue, lips, inside lining of the mouth/cheeks and the oropharynx (the portion of the throat at the back of the mouth). It is the sixth most common cancer in the UK – every year there are approximately 4,900 new cases reported..
Exact cause is unknown in some patients, but alcohol, tobacco, diet and Human papilloma virus (HPV) are known risk factors. Oral cancer disproportionately affects males and its incidence and mortality increase with age and deprivation.
The national Adult Dental Health Survey 2021 showed:
- 95% of all adults in England were dentate (had at least one tooth).
- The proportion of people with no natural teeth was higher in more deprived neighbourhoods.
- 10% of dentate adults in England reported feeling current teeth pain.
- 19% of dentate adults reported having been told they had gum disease.