Over 70% of hospitals have seen increases in patients with oral health problems
More than 70% of hospitals have seen an increase in the number of patients admitted with oral health problems, according to research from GB News.
Researchers found that 73% of the hospitals that responded to a Freedom of Information request had experienced a rise in cases of oral illnesses and injuries in 2021. The report also revealed that deaths caused by oral diseases are at an all-time high.
GB News requested information about admissions linked to teeth, gum and other oral injuries from every UK hospital trust. In total, 88 replied, with 73% confirming an increase in case numbers from 2020 to 2021.
In the South West region, over 80% of the hospitals saw more patients with oral health problems in 2021 and in the North East, all five trusts experienced increases in patient numbers. The number of patients treated at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust rose from 2,431 in 2020 to 4,231 in 2021.
The most alarming rise was recorded in the North West at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, where numbers increased from 67,091 patients in 2020 to 85,887 in 2021.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that deaths from oral injuries and diseases hit an all-time high in 2021, rising from 2,582 in 2016 to 2,958 in 2021.
Increases in hospital cases have been attributed to appointment shortages, the growing prevalence of DIY dentistry and difficulties accessing NHS dental services. There are also concerns that numbers of admissions and deaths could continue to rise, with thousands of cases of oral cancer likely to be missed or diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the lack of routine dental appointments.
British Dental Association chair, Eddie Crouch, said that the statistics are “devastating” and criticised the government for “treating dentistry as a Cinderella service.”
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