Alcohol and Dentistry in UK Health

Alcohol and Dentistry - UK Population Health

• This presentation details the impact of alcohol on UK health, specifically focusing on oral and dental health.
• 10.8 million adults in England drink at levels posing health risks (1 in 5 women, 1 in 3 men).
• Alcohol misuse in the UK is a significant public health concern with substantial economic and social consequences.
• The estimated cost of alcohol misuse in the UK ranges from £21 to £52 billion annually.
• Over 1 million hospital admissions are linked to alcohol consumption each year.
• In 2019, 54% of English adults reported drinking alcohol the previous week.
• Men were more likely to drink than women (59% vs 50%).
• Alcohol-specific conditions were responsible for 347,761 hospital admissions (2% of all admissions) in England 2019/20.
• 7,544 alcohol-specific deaths occurred in the UK in 2019.

GDC Learning Outcomes

• Dental professionals should recognize psychosocial and sociological factors contributing to poor oral health.
• A systematic intra- and extra-oral examination is crucial to identify patient needs and assess their oral health status.
• Responding to reported changes in oral health status is essential.
• Dental professionals should refer to relevant dental team members or other health professionals where necessary.
• A preventive approach to care is vital for long-term oral and general health, including guidance on diet, drugs, substance misuse, tobacco and alcohol.
• Effective and sensitive communication with patients, their representatives and the general public are crucial, especially in difficult situations like breaking bad news or discussing alcohol consumption.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Outline alcohol consumption and its effect on the UK population.
• Demonstrate the dental care professional's role in conveying critical general health messages.
• Screen patients with appropriate screening tools.
• Give appropriate advice and signpost resources where needed.
• Discuss the influence of alcohol on oral and general health.

Assessment

• Formative assessment methods include unseen cases, class discussion, and clinical activity.
• Summative assessments include unseen cases and case presentations.

Alcohol Consumption in Children

• In 2018, rates of alcohol consumption varied between 11 to 15 years old.
• The percentage of boys and girls who drank alcohol in the past week varied across age groups.
• Different types of alcohol (beer/cider, shandy, wines, spirits) had varying popularity among adolescents.

Government Agenda

• The 1997-2001 Labour Government's Public Health White Paper "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" addressed alcohol.
• The 2004 Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England provided guidance.
• The 2007 "Safe, Sensible, Social" strategy provided additional guidance on alcohol.
• In 2012, the Coalition Government issued an alcohol strategy.
• In 2016, official alcohol guidelines were revised for the first time since the 1995 report.

Hospital Statistics

• Regional variations exist in hospital admissions relating to alcohol.
• Key locations with high rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions are highlighted.
• Key locations with low rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions are given.

Drug Treatment

• The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) collects data on individuals receiving treatment for alcohol and other substance abuse.
• In 2019/20, there were 104,880 adult clients receiving alcohol-related treatment (39% of all adults).
• 71% of these were treated for solely alcohol-related problems.

Alcohol-specific Deaths

• Regional variations exist in alcohol-specific deaths.
• Highest and lowest rates of alcohol-specific death are highlighted.

Alcohol-specific Deaths by Cause (2019)

• This table details the cause-specific alcohol-related deaths in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Number of deaths from various types of alcohol related causes are given in each region.

International Comparison (AAFs)

• The percentage of deaths attributable to alcohol varies internationally.
• Specific regions and percentages are listed for each WHO region.

How Dental Professionals Fit In

• Dental professionals play several roles in addressing alcohol's impact. They assess, question, advise, and potentially refer, on a patient-by-patient basis.

This quiz explores the effects of alcohol on oral and dental health within the UK population. It highlights the statistics surrounding alcohol consumption, its implications for public health, and the responsibilities of dental professionals. Understand the socio-economic impacts of alcohol misuse and the importance of addressing these issues in dental practice.