The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a draft guideline to help local authorities improve oral health.

Problems include gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and cancers. Poor oral health can affect a person's ability to eat, speak and smile as well as their confidence and self-esteem.

There are wide variations in oral health across England. People at high risk of poor oral health include those from deprived areas or who are socioeconomically deprived, homeless people, the old and frail, people with physical or mental disabilities, smokers or people who misuse alcohol or other substances, people with a poor diet or people from some black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups.

The draft guideline makes recommendations to help councils work with other local organisations (such as the NHS, nurseries, schools, community centres and voluntary groups) to develop a local strategy on oral health and deliver community-based activities to:

• improve diet and reduce consumption of sugary food and drinks, alcohol and tobacco (and so improve general health too)
• improve oral hygiene
• increase the availability of fluoride (such as using fluoride toothpaste) [Note that water fluoridation is not within the scope of this guideline]
• increase access to dental services.

Professor Mike Kelly, Director for the Centre of Public Health at NICE, said: “Many of the risk factors for oral health are the same for many chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, so helping local authorities to improve oral health in their communities is vital in helping people live a healthier life overall.

“We are keen to receive comments on this draft version of this new guideline from anyone who is likely to be involved in making key decisions in their local area . This includes local authority health and wellbeing boards, directors of public health, consultants in dental public health, commissioners and decision makers in local authorities and the NHS, school governors and head teachers. We are also keen to hear from those delivering frontline services in dentistry, health, social care and education. All comments submitted during the consultation will be fully considered and will help to ensure our guideline on this topic is a beacon of best practice.”

Ends

For more information call the NICE press office on 0845 003 7782 or out of hours on 07775 583 813.

Notes to Editors

A copy of the draft public health guidance Oral health: local authority oral health improvement strategies will be available from Tuesday 1 April 2014. Please contact the NICE press office for an embargoed copy of this guidance.

About NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for driving improvement and excellence in the health and social care system. We develop guidance, standards and information on high-quality health and social care. We also advise on ways to promote healthy living and prevent ill health.

Our aim is to help practitioners deliver the best possible care and give people the most effective treatments, which are based on the most up-to-date evidence and provide value for money, in order to reduce inequalities and variation.

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