Australia sugar tax could prevent millions of dental issues

A study from Griffith University suggests that implementing a 20 percent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Australia could significantly improve public oral health. According to research published in ‘BMJ Public Health’, such a tax could prevent 3.7 million cases of dental caries, 191,000 cases of gum disease, and 115,000 cases of total tooth loss over a 25-year period.

The modeling, based on 2019 Australian population data, indicates that the tax could also generate approximately half a million health-adjusted life years by reducing both oral diseases and weight-related illnesses. Researchers noted that nearly one-third of Australians aged 15 and older suffer from untreated caries.

Dr. Mishel Shahid, the lead author, highlighted that this is the first Australian analysis to quantify the impact of a sugar tax beyond just tooth decay, including periodontal disease and toothlessness. The study suggests that revenue generated from the tax could be used to improve the accessibility of dental care.