KPI 3: Proportion of adults with moderate or severe periodontitis
Periodontitis, or advanced stage gum disease, damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth which can cause the teeth to become loose, which in turn can lead to tooth loss.
In 2017–18, around one-third (30%) of adults aged 15 years and over had moderate or severe periodontitis, an increase from around one-quarter (23%) in 2004–06.
In 2017–18, the proportion of adults with periodontitis increased with age from 8.6% in those aged 15–24 to 59% in those aged 65 years and over.