Oral Health Industry Has a Problem

The UK is facing an oral health crisis.

From millions unable to access basic dental care, to the industry’s sluggish pace of innovation, it’s clear the current system isn’t serving the public. While toothpastes and mouthwashes fill supermarket shelves, too many people can’t even book a dentist appointment. It’s time to take a closer look at why the industry is broken, and what needs to change.

The Dentist Shortage is Hurting Millions

Let’s start with access. Or rather, the lack of it.

Across the UK, people are struggling to find NHS dentists. According to a 2023 Liberal Democrats report, 90% of NHS practices weren’t accepting new adult patients, and nearly 80% weren’t taking children either ¹. That’s not a postcode lottery - it’s a national breakdown.

It’s estimated that 13 million adults in the UK couldn’t access NHS dental care in the past year. Of those, 5.6 million tried and failed, while another 5.4 million didn’t even bother trying ².

People are resorting to pulling out their own teeth. A&E departments are handling dental emergencies. And private care - while often excellent, simply isn’t affordable or accessible for everyone.

A Decline in Prevention, Especially for Children

The oral health of the UK’s children tells its own story.

In 2022, nearly 24% of five-year-olds in England had visible tooth decay, with children in more deprived areas more than twice as likely to suffer from dental problems ³.

That’s one in four children with avoidable oral disease before they even start school.

Local government budget cuts have hit public health initiatives hard. Supervised brushing schemes have been scaled back, and educational outreach is patchy at best. The result? More decay, more extractions, and a future generation facing lifelong oral health challenges.

The Innovation Gap in Everyday Products

It’s not just dentistry that’s stuck. The oral care industry itself isn’t innovating fast enough.

Most supermarket products rely on the same old formats: fluoride toothpaste in plastic tubes, alcohol-based mouthwash, petroleum-derived floss. For an industry worth billions, that’s not good enough.

Globally, around 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are discarded each year, most of which are non-recyclable due to mixed materials ⁴.

And while the world of skincare has embraced technology and transparency, oral care still sells minty foam as innovation. Emerging science like photobiomodulation (PBM) and red/blue LED therapies remain on the fringes, even though they’re proven to support gum health, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

A System That Rewards Treatment Over Prevention

The NHS dental contract structure is a big part of the problem.

Since 2006, NHS dentists have operated under a “Units of Dental Activity” (UDA) system. In short: dentists are paid more for fixing problems than preventing them ⁵.

This incentivises extractions and fillings over routine cleans and check-ups. It’s a backwards model and it’s failing both dentists and patients.

Even the government’s £200 million Dental Recovery Plan, launched in 2023, missed the mark. Fewer than 20% of the promised 240 dentists were recruited, and access for new patients actually fell by 3% ⁶.

Oral Health Inequality is Widening

Oral health isn’t just a personal issue - it’s a social one.

Children in poorer areas suffer disproportionately. Adults in rural communities or deprived towns are most likely to face dentist shortages. And the costs of going private create barriers many simply can’t cross.

In boroughs like Brent, tooth decay in five-year-olds exceeds 40%, while in wealthier areas it’s under 10% ³. That’s not genetics that’s inequality in action.

So What Now?

The UK oral health industry is overdue for a transformation.

At NUEOS, we believe it’s time for something better.

We combine natural, effective ingredients with modern design and science-backed LED technology, offering a smarter, more sustainable way to care for your teeth and gums. No tubes. No sting. Just good science and great habits.

Because oral health shouldn’t be a luxury it should be daily, effortless, and accessible for all.

Join our waitlist to be notified with an opening offer

Sources

1. Liberal Democrats Wales: Dentist Crisis Report (2023)
2. The Sun: “NHS dentist crisis shows service is on its last legs” (2024)
3. Gov.uk: Oral Health Survey of 5-Year-Olds (2022)
4. Leicester City Council: Oral Health 5YO Report (2021/22)
5. Wikipedia: NHS Dentistry
6. Financial Times: “Dental Recovery Plan branded a failure” (2024)