Canada ranks third out of 40 countries in managing tooth decay, following the United States and Switzerland, according to a global report published Thursday as part of the Health Inclusivity Index (HII), a research initiative by Economist Impact supported by consumer health company Haleon.
The United Kingdom placed fourth and Australia fifth in the study, which measured the baseline per-person costs of managing dental caries (tooth decay) among people aged 12 to 65.
Despite its high ranking, Canada loses $834.7 million (US$606 million) in productivity each year due to untreated or poorly managed tooth decay, the study said, calling for intervention and improved health literacy, particularly among lower-income individuals. Official figures show that Canada’s poverty rate rose for a second straight year in 2022, up 2.5 percentage points from 2021 and 3.5 points from 2020, leaving 1.4 million more people in poverty than in 2020.
“The Index shows us that health inclusivity is a catalyst for economic progress.” Jonathan Birdwell, Global Head of Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.
“As the world grapples with widening health inequalities, ageing populations and economic uncertainty, the case for inclusive health has never been clearer,” said Jonathan Birdwell, Global Head of Policy and Insights at Economist Impact. “The Index shows us that health inclusivity is a catalyst for economic progress.”
$4.4B can be saved by preventing tooth decay
The study estimates that universal interventions to prevent tooth decay—such as twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cutting back on sugar, consuming fluoridated water or salt, and attending regular dental checkups—could reduce the progression of decay by 30 per cent. That would amount to potential savings of $4.41 billion (US$3.2 billion) in Canada.
Targeting these interventions specifically toward low-income Canadians could yield even greater savings of $8.12 billion (US$5.9 billion), by narrowing the gap in oral health outcomes between lower- and higher-income groups.
Managing gum disease effectively could save $7.16 billion (US$5.2 billion) in costs related to type 2 diabetes over 10 years, the report said.
Improving health literacy could also yield significant economic benefits. A 25 per cent reduction in low health literacy prevalence in Canada could lead to $10.74 billion (US$7.8 billion) in annual savings.
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Additional Canada-specific findings:
- Air pollution: Canada could save up to $3.44 million (US$2.5 million) annually by reducing air pollution to meet WHO targets.
- Anaemia in women of reproductive age:
- An estimated $997.82 million (US$724 million) could be saved each year.
- Currently, 10.4 per cent of women of reproductive age in Canada have anaemia.
- Musculoskeletal conditions:
- Prevention efforts in older adults could generate $1.71 billion (US$1.24 billion) annually.
- In women specifically, savings could reach $1.69 billion (US$1.23 billion) per year.
- Osteoporosis:
- Preventing hip and spinal fractures could save $1.09 billion (US$795 million) annually in Canada.
Hundreds of billions can be saved globally
Now in its third phase, the HII began in 2022 by analyzing the health policies, strategies and infrastructure of 40 countries. A second phase in 2023 gathered public feedback on their experiences accessing health care. This latest phase examines the economic and health benefits of making care more inclusive for at-risk groups.
According to the Index, raising health literacy—defined as the ability to understand and use health information—by 25 per cent could save about $417.44 (US$303) billion annually across the 40 countries studied.
For oral health alone, better management of gum disease could prevent 57 million cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide and generate an estimated $249.33 billion (US$181 billion) in economic gains over a decade.
(Currency conversions from USD to CAD were calculated using XE.com on May 15, 2025.)
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