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It is estimated that 17% of the UK population experiences food insecurity, with increasing evidence to suggest a direct link with oral health. As such, dental professionals should be prepared to tailor their advice accordingly to support. At time of writing, there is a paucity of information available about food insecurity and oral health, and methods of support for the dental profession. Therefore, this article provides an overview of the concepts of poverty and food insecurity, and their impact on oral health, as well as presenting actionable suggestions for ways in which the dental team can identify and signpost those needing support.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: Awareness of the relationship between dental caries and food insecurity is important to be able to provide tailored advice to patients.
Article
Poverty continues to be an important issue within the UK, and with it, food insecurity. Food insecurity is ‘the limitation to or uncertainty about the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in a socially acceptable way’.1 Food insecurity can result in people consuming food sources that are more energy dense, but less nutritious and higher in refined carbohydrates (including sugars) and poor-quality fats. This type of diet can increase systemic inflammation, predispose to chronic diseases (i.e. diabetes and cardiovascular disease2) and impact the oral microbiome, thereby directly affecting oral conditions, including periodontal disease and caries.3 It is important therefore for dental professionals to be aware of such factors to support patients accordingly.
The Human Rights Act (1998) recognizes the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing, and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.4 The rate of poverty in the UK has escalated in recent years owing to ‘austerity measures’. In addition to Brexit, this has led to rapidly increasing prices and a subsequent cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.5 Coupled with the rate of inflation exceeding the growth of wages, there has been a steep increase in the prevalence of poverty among people living on benefits, low-income earners, and, in particular, children living in single parent households.
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