INTERACTIVE: Most Malaysian adults face dental issues
PETALING JAYA: Almost all or 94.6% of Malaysian adults need some form of dental treatment, with tooth decay being a top problem.

In fact, six in 10 adults require care due to tooth decay, says the Health Ministry, based on the National Oral Health Survey of Adults conducted in 2022, involving 16,734 people aged 15 and above.

The findings also showed that nine of 10 adults in Malaysia had unhealthy periodontium, or the tissue and structure that hold our teeth in place.

“In most cases, people are unaware that they have gum disease as it is painless at an early stage,” read an explanation in the survey.

Here are some of the points highlighted in the survey:

“The top three dental health problems among Malaysians are tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer,” said the Health Ministry when contacted in conjunction with World Oral Health Day today (March 20).

It said poor oral hygiene due to insufficient tooth brushing and flossing, and high intake of free sugars contributed to tooth decay by providing fuel for bacteria.

“Smoking and tobacco use are big risk factors for gum disease.

“Heavy alcohol consumption and chewing betel quid (sirih) also increases the risks of oral cancer,” the ministry said.

It said the areca nut, often included in betel quid, is considered a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

According to the survey, three in 10 Malaysian adults chew betel quid.

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The survey also found that one in two adults need dental prostheses, or solutions to replace missing or damaged teeth.

Examples of prostheses are full or partial dentures that are usually removable, and fixed prostheses like crowns (a dental cap that restores a broken tooth).

Most or 31.4% need partial dentures, while 10.2% need fixed prostheses.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian adult has an average of 24 permanent teeth – but ideally, it should be 32.

About one million, or one in 20 adult Malaysians aged 35 and above, have no teeth at all.

It doesn’t help that most or 63% of adults did not get their teeth checked within a year.

Only 37% attended a dental appointment, according to the survey.

“The top reason for seeking oral healthcare is due to such people experiencing dental problems,” said the ministry.

In general, it is recommended to go for a dental check at least once a year.

On the number of dentists in Malaysia, the ministry said there was a need for more, but the figure is expected to grow.

“Next year, Malaysia is projected to have 5.1 dentists for every 10,000 people.

“By 2030, it’s expected to rise to 6.5 dentists per 10,000 population,” it said.

Currently, the estimated dentist to population ratio is 4.5 per 10,000 population (one dentist for every 2,240 people), based on 2023 figures.

However, experts are urging for a more equal distribution of dentists in the country.

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Malaysian Dental Association president Dr Mas Suryalis Ahmad said many dental facilities were concentrated in areas with high population density, such as Selangor.

“Many Malaysians living in Sabah and Sarawak have issues accessing dental service.

“As such, more facilities should be set up there and other identified areas,” she said.

Dr Mas Suryalis said it was timely for the government to promote oral health, especially among low socioeconomic groups.

“Government initiatives, such as Peka B40, should incorporate dental care as one of the categories eligible for claims,” she urged.

She also suggested that the government widens the water fluoridation programme to all states.

“Currently, the coverage of water fluoridation in Malaysia is about 74%.

“Water fluoridation is recognised as one of the most cost-effective and safe measures to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health, and should be expanded across the country,” Dr Mas Suryalis said.
PETALING JAYA: Almost all or 94.6% of Malaysian adults need some form of dental treatment, with tooth decay being a top problem.