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The high cost of oral disease
Untreated oral disease has severe and debilitating consequences, ranging from physical symptoms to functional limitations and adverse effects on emotional, mental and social well-being. The costs of treatment, when accessible in the first place, pose a significant economic burden.
$387 BILLION
The cost of direct public and private spending on oral
diseases across 194 countries in 2019.
$323 BILLION
Productivity losses stemming from oral diseases globally in 2019.
$50
The cost of oral diseases per person per year globally.
The low cost of prevention
Preventing oral disease through daily oral care is the most cost-effective solution. A study by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit comparing business as usual to a scenario that includes the prevention of gingivitis found that the latter scenario results in more healthy life years per patient and less costs. In addition, preventing gingivitis eliminates oral disease as a risk factor common for other non-communicable diseases.
- If we consider an elimination of incident gingivitis (for example, through improved oral homecare), the total HLYs would rise in all countries at an incremental increase of 4.7m HLY compared to the baseline.
- Elimination of gingivitis would be 45.4% less expensive than sticking to the status quo.
- If we consider an elimination of incident gingivitis (for example, through improved oral homecare), the total HLYs would rise in all countries at an incremental increase of 4.7m HLY compared to the baseline.
