Assessing the impact

The high consumption of alcohol can be a major factor in declining oral health, with the impact of the pandemic leading to dramatic surges in UK alcohol consumption. A 2023 survey found that 26 per cent of UK adults are concerned about someone’s drinking, emphasising the need to promote oral health and raise conversations on alcohol consumption.

Young adults are now more likely to develop dental complications, such as oral cancer, from drinking than they are from smoking. University students are particularly vulnerable to oral health problems, with a survey finding that 81 per cent of students believe binge drinking and being drunk is part of the culture. Managing alcohol consumption and educating its younger drinkers on the long-term health impacts is integral.