BDA backs call for unified action against obesity and tooth decay

The British Dental Association (BDA) has called for a unified and coordinated approach to tackle obesity and dental decay in children and young people under the age of 16.

This follows the publication of a position paper from the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) advocating clearer food labelling, closer liaison with dieticians and a coordinated and multi-agency approach to managing these closely-related issues.

Strong links have been shown between obesity in young people, tooth decay in permanent teeth and deprivation, which is a crucial issue given that one-third of 11-year-olds are overweight or obese.

The BDA has backed the BSPD's stance on this issue and welcomed its support for the BDA-spearheaded Make a Meal of It campaign, which also calls for better food labelling and a tax on sugary carbonated drinks.

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser of the BDA, said: "The society's contribution to this debate is therefore a welcome reminder of the inherent connection between childhood obesity and poor dental health, both of which are dietary-related and preventable."