Oral Health Needs Assessment 2023

The Oral Health Needs Assessment aimed to describe the oral health profile of people living in Oxfordshire, to provide an overview of the currently commissioned oral health promotion programme and dental care services in the area, and identify any potential gaps in service provision.

58 stakeholders/oral health professionals and 1242 residents responded

You said:

Residents wanted:

• More access to NHS dentists

Oral health professionals recommended:

• Brush teeth twice per day
• Reduce sugar intake
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Spit, don't rinse after brushing

We did:

• Prioritise oral health and raise awareness of its impact on quality of life
• Broaden existing oral health promotion and improvement services
• Review oral health research evidence to update initiatives

Next steps

• Awareness campaigns
• Educational programmes
• Improve oral health in care homes
• Review the challenges in gaining access to NHS dental care