2022-11-17-世界卫生组织-Oral_Health_Ireland_2022_country_profile_2页_661kb

Ireland Oral Health Country Profile Summary

1. Oral Disease Burden

The report details the prevalence of oral diseases in Ireland. In 2019, untreated caries in children aged 1-9 years was 25.4%, while in people over 5 years old, it was 31.6%. Severe periodontal disease affected 4.9% of those aged 15+, and edentulism (complete loss of natural teeth) occurred in 12.8% of people aged 20+. Lip and oral cavity cancer incidence rates were 2.6 per 100,000 for females, 5.3 for males, in 2020.

2. Health System Response

Ireland's national health system has policies in place for oral health. A national oral health policy exists, and a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is implemented to address risk factors. The workforce includes 3,217 dentists in 2018, supporting preventive and curative care. Total dental healthcare expenditure reached US$515 million, with productivity losses estimated at US$1,444 million due to untreated oral diseases. Interventions are partially integrated into health benefit packages.

3. Risk Factors

Key risk factors for oral diseases include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and high sugar availability. Among those aged 15+, tobacco use prevalence was 21.4%, and per capita alcohol consumption was 12.8 liters of pure alcohol per year. High sugar consumption was noted, contributing to disease burden.

4. Economic Impact

Oral health has a significant economic impact, with substantial expenditure on healthcare and lost productivity. Affordability of basic products like fluoride toothpaste is generally reasonable, requiring minimal labor days to purchase annual supplies. The country faces challenges in sustaining health financing for oral health services.