Why We Must Prioritise Periodontal Disease in National Healthcare Policy

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is a prevalent chronic inflammatory condition with consequences that extend beyond oral health. Despite strong evidence linking it to systemic diseases, mental health outcomes, and economic burden, it remains under-prioritised in public health policy. AIM: This opinion piece aims to highlight the broader health and economic implications of periodontal disease and to highlight the need to prioritise it within healthcare policy and integrated care frameworks. DISCUSSION: Emerging evidence highlights significant associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Beyond physical health, periodontal disease also contributes to psychosocial challenges such as reduced self-esteem, with potential links to cognitive decline. From an economic perspective, untreated periodontal disease imposes substantial direct and indirect costs on healthcare systems, particularly the NHS, due to increased demand for emergency care, need for advanced dental treatments, and complex care management needs. Preventative care and early intervention are cost-effective strategies to reduce health inequalities that also address the links between oral and systemic health. CONCLUSION: Periodontal disease represents an important yet overlooked public health issue. Prioritising prevention, integrating oral health into general health care, and increasing public awareness are essential to improve population health outcomes. This article calls for urgent policy action to recognise periodontal health as integral to overall health and healthcare delivery.