Study finds 20% sugary-drink tax could slash tooth decay in Australia
Australian researchers estimate that a 20% levy on sugar-sweetened beverages may avert millions of cavities and reduce severe tooth loss over the next 25 years.
A new Australian study published in BMJ Public Health compares a baseline with a scenario where a 20% excise tax is applied to sugar-sweetened drinks. The model predicts avoidance of 3.7 million cavities and 115 000 cases of full tooth loss across a 25-year horizon, while also indicating a substantial reduction in gum disease without specifying a figure. Mishel Shahid, a Griffith University research fellow, emphasized that the tax would not solve all dental problems but would have a notable impact.
The analysis builds on World Health Organization recommendations and prior international experience with sugar levies. Dental experts, including Australian Dental Association vice-president Angie Nilsson, praised the work and argued that any revenue generated should fund cheaper, more accessible dental care. The study adds to a broader policy debate that has persisted for a decade, with industry groups opposing the tax and health advocates urging its adoption.
Why it matters
A sugar tax could dramatically lower dental disease rates and fund better oral-health services for Australians.
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