This page brings together the most up-to-date oral health statistics from the UK.
It is designed for journalists and media professionals seeking reliable data on oral health, disease burden, and oral health behaviours.
Dental disease prevalence
Almost one-in-four adults in the UK (41%) have untreated tooth decay. ¹
9% of adults show signs of severe gum disease. ²
5% of adults in England have no natural teeth. The average number of natural teeth among adults is 25, with 84% retaining at least 21 teeth – considered a functional dentition. ³
More than one-in-five five-year-olds in England (23.7%) have obvious decay in their teeth. ⁴
By Year 6 (age 10–11), 16.2% of children have tooth decay, with regional figures ranging from 12.1% in the South West to 23.3% in Yorkshire and the Humber. ⁵
Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5–9. In 2022–23, there were 31,165 hospital admissions for ch… Source by Oral Health Foundation Read More
