03 APR 2025

The Oral Health Foundation is highlighting new concerns over the impact of health inequalities, calling on the government to set out how its health mission will tackle avoidable illness, including preventable oral diseases.

New data from a new Royal College of Physicians (RCP) member snapshot survey reveals the significant burden of health inequalities:

• 90% of doctors expressed concern about the impact of health inequalities on their patients.

• 46% reported that at least half of their workload was due to illnesses linked to the wider determinants of health.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, says:

Health inequalities are fuelling a dental crisis that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in society. The stark reality is that preventable oral health problems, such as tooth decay and tooth loss, are more common among those living in poverty, with poor housing, and limited access to dental care.

These inequalities extend across every stage of life, from children suffering higher rates of tooth decay - impacting their education and future prospects - to adults facing barriers in accessing essential care, leading to time off work and lost productivity. Government must take immediate action to address the root causes - poverty, housing, and inadequate healthcare services.

If we don't tackle these systemic issues, the burden on the NHS will continue to rise, the economy will suffer, and more people will endure unnecessary pain. It's time for a comprehensive, cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities and ensure everyone has access to the care they need.

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This morning, a report in The Guardian called for the government to use its health mission delivery board to implement a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities and address the social determinants of health.

The original press release to this story is available on the RCP website.