In the News

Is the sugar tax cutting teeth extractions among the young?

Graham Watson

17th November 2023

The first studies of dental health in children after the introduction of the sugar tax reveal that there's been a decline in the number of teeth being extracted in the under-10s. However, before leaping to the conclusion that this is unequivocally a good thing, I'd be more cautious than the Guardian in suggesting that this gives grounds for increased intervention to tackle all public health related problems.

Remember that good economics balances marginal cost and marginal benefit and that every intervention has an opportunity cost above all else. Also think about the unintended consequences of intervening and ask whether every issue can be dealt with this way.

UK soft drinks industry levy introduced in 2018 may have reduced the number of under 18s having a tooth removed due to tooth decay by 12%, with the largest reductions were in children aged up to nine years old.

Read our news article👉 https://t.co/AP7nruu5FT#SugarTax

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— MRC Epidemiology Unit (@MRC_Epid) November 15, 2023

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