Dental Hygiene: An Important Focus
In the realm of oral health research and public interest, a wealth of reliable resources exist to provide insight into the state of dental health in the UK. These sources offer data on various aspects of oral health, from historical trends to current indicators, and are maintained by governmental, professional, and academic bodies.
One of the most comprehensive sources of national dental data is NHS Digital's dental statistics. These datasets provide a detailed picture of dental care activity, treatment, and patient demographics in England over time, although they typically exclude special settings like hospitals or prisons. The data covers routine dental services extensively, making it a valuable resource for researchers and the public alike [1].
The UK Government's Public Health Outcomes Framework and NHS Outcomes Framework also include indicators related to oral health. These frameworks contribute longitudinal data on dental health outcomes and service performance across the UK, providing a broader perspective on the state of oral health in the nation [2].
Fingertips, managed by the UK Health Security Agency, offers profiles and indicators across public health, including oral health measures. Data is often visualized with local authority breakdowns, offering a granular view of oral health trends across the country [2].
The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) has historically coordinated large-scale oral health surveys such as the Adult Dental Health Survey and children’s dental health studies. Their work supports benchmarking and trend analysis, contributing significantly to the understanding of oral health in the UK [3]. King’s College London’s Dental Public Health research group currently continues much of this epidemiological research, including the Adult Oral Health Survey 2021 [3].
NHS England dental commissioning data provide insight into the commissioning and delivery of dental services, offering valuable insights into service availability and access [1]. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) may contribute relevant demographic and socioeconomic data linked to oral health status and inequalities [1].
For those interested in staying updated on oral health data and research, there is an option to sign up for email alerts. The oral health data, profiles, and indicators can be found on Fingertips, a specific location for up-to-date oral health information [2].
Strategic Health Asset Planning and Evaluation is another relevant entity for oral health studies, while the UK government web archive serves as a repository for historical dental health data and policies [1][3]. Collaboration among organisations like BASCD, NHS Digital, and academic institutions such as King’s College London supports ongoing data collection, interpretation, and dissemination [3].
In summary, key reliable sources for oral health data, profiles, and indicators in the UK include NHS Digital Dental Statistics, the UK Government's Public Health and NHS Outcomes Frameworks, Fingertips, BASCD, NHS England Dental Commissioning, ONS, the UK government web archive, and academic groups like King's College London's Dental Public Health research group [1][3]. These sources offer comprehensive, reliable oral health data and indicators, including recent and historical perspectives in the UK.
References:
[1] Public Health England. (2021). Oral Health Fingertips Profile. Retrieved from https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profileplus/oral-health/data/england/latest
[2] UK Health Security Agency. (2022). Oral Health Fingertips Profile. Retrieved from https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profileplus/oral-health/data/england/latest
[3] British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry. (2022). Oral Health Surveys. Retrieved from https://www.bascd.org/oral-health-surveys/
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) and King's College London's Dental Public Health research group are key entities conducting significant oral health research and surveys, contributing to the understanding of oral health in the UK.
- Additionally, science plays a crucial role in the UK's health-and-wellness sector, as noted in the utilization of data from sources like NHS Digital's dental statistics and Fingertips, both offering comprehensive, reliable oral health data and indicators for researchers and the public alike.
