Global burden

Nearly half the global population suffers from oral diseases

Accounting for one of the highest global disease burdens, oral conditions like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer impact billions and strain healthcare systems worldwide. Most cases are preventable, yet access to care remains unequal.

About oral diseases

Oral diseases are silent, persistent, and often invisible until it's too late. They affect the way we speak, eat, connect, and live. Yet, they rarely get the attention they deserve. At Better Smile Foundation, we believe that behind every smile is a story, and too often, that story includes pain, stigma, or neglect. That’s why we’re on a mission to make oral health a global priority, focusing on prevention, education, and equity. Because everyone deserves a life free from pain and full of confident, healthy smiles.

“The future of oral health won’t be built by treating problems, it will be shaped by preventing them. We are creating solutions before pain ever begins.”

Dimitris Papakyriakopoulos, Founder of Better Smile Foundation

What we're up against

  • Over 3.5 billion

    people worldwide suffer from oral diseases; many with multiple conditions.

  • 80%

    of the global burden is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries.

  • $545 Billion

    Oral diseases cost the world $545 billion/year, with $356B in treatment costs and $187B in productivity losses.

  • Fluoride Access Crisis

    An estimated 3.5 billion people cannot access or afford fluoride toothpaste.

  • Children at Risk

    Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are 3x more likely to suffer from severe tooth decay or miss school due to dental pain.

  • Excluded from UHC

    Routine dental care is not included in public health systems in over 60% of countries.

Our approach

Explore Global Disease Trends

Interact with the chart below to visualize incidence, mortality, and other health measures by disease type and dataset.

Data available by:

Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network.

Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) Results.

Seattle, United States: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), 2022.

Available from https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/.

FAQ

  • Oral diseases affect billions of people worldwide and can have serious impacts on overall health, quality of life, and economic productivity. Despite this, they are often excluded from health policy conversations, especially in underserved regions.

  • We focus on prevention through education, awareness campaigns, and research. Our team visits schools, engages communities, and works with professionals to promote early intervention and empower people with the tools to protect their oral health.

  • Research helps us understand the root causes of oral health disparities and develop data-driven solutions. By investing in innovative studies and collaborating with academic institutions, we aim to shape the future of preventive dental care.

  • Yes. From affordable dental products to digital health tools and community-based models of care, innovation is key to overcoming barriers and reaching those who need it most, especially in low-resource settings.

“Research helps us understand, prevent, and solve problems before they start. It’s how we build smarter solutions and bring lasting change to oral health.”

Ilias Visakis, President of Better Smile Foundation

Latest Research