The $710 Billion Price Tag of Oral Disease
Oral conditions cost the world $710 billion in 2019, with $387 billion in treatment costs and $323 billion in productivity losses. This study underscores the urgent need for equitable, cost-efficient oral health strategies to ease the financial strain on individuals and societies across the globe.
Oral health isn’t just a personal concern — it’s a global economic challenge. A new study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, reveals that the economic impact of oral conditions reached a staggering $710 billion in 2019, highlighting the urgent need for better oral health strategies and equitable access to care.
Covering five major oral conditions — dental caries, periodontitis, tooth loss, other oral diseases, and edentulism — the study estimates the global costs as $387 billion in direct dental expenditures and $323 billion in productivity losses. Strikingly, high-income countries spent an average of $260 per capita on dental care, compared to just $0.52 in low-income countries — a 500-fold disparity.
Oral conditions affect 3.5 billion people worldwide but disproportionately burden underserved populations. The study underscores that 87% of global dental expenditures benefit only 22% of the population. These inequities, coupled with the lack of comprehensive reporting, complicate efforts to prioritize resources and plan for future oral health needs.
The findings emphasize the critical need for routine monitoring of the economic impact of oral conditions. This aligns with the goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Resolution and the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan, which advocate for universal access to quality oral healthcare. Enhanced reporting and strategic investment in cost-effective oral health programs could reduce the economic and societal toll of oral diseases.
As decision-makers face limited resources, prioritizing oral health is essential for maximizing well-being. This study not only quantifies the economic burden but also calls for a global commitment to addressing oral health disparities and fostering sustainable, needs-based healthcare systems. Click here to read more.
