Sensodyne, Aquafresh maker Haleon urges industry action on oral health access

Access to oral health care remains precarious across global communities, prompting multiple brands to engage in equity initiatives with the aim of globalizing oral care access and prioritizing holistic approaches in oral care. 

On the occasion of World Oral Health day (March 20), Personal Care Insights sits down with Jayant Singh, global head of Oral Health at Haleon — parent company to Paradontax, Sensodyne, and Polident — to discuss the importance and the gaps in oral care equity, perpetuation of structural inequality due to lack of dental care, and the roles and responsibilities of the industry to combat these inequalities.

“When we talk about access to oral health care, at its core, what we’re really talking about is whether people can achieve and maintain good oral health throughout their lives,” says Singh.

“By that measure, the scale of the challenge is significant. Globally, only around 23% of people have access to oral health services, which means everyday prevention and self-care play an even more critical role in improving oral health outcomes.”

Singh attributes inadequate general health literacy as one of the major barriers to universal oral health.

“If people don’t have the knowledge, confidence, or support to navigate health care systems, manage conditions early, or follow advice, outcomes inevitably suffer.”

He outlines the importance for personal care companies operating in the space to approach oral care equity holistically and not only as a matter of clinical care. “It’s about empowering people with the information, tools, and habits they need to take control of their everyday health,” he says.

“That’s why prevention is such a vital part of the conversation. We know that brushing twice a day with a quality fluoride toothpaste can help prevent plaque, gum disease, and tooth decay. Yet only about two-thirds of adults globally do this regularly.”

Oral diseases remain among the most common health conditions globally, affecting billions of people.Singh stresses the importance of early implementation of healthy oral care habits, stating that people are more likely to suffer from avoidable oral health problems later in life when preventative behaviors aren’t taught at a young age.

Structural Inequality 

Singh outlines the prevalence of poor oral health and the enduring issue of unmet oral care needs.

“Oral diseases are among the most common and largely preventable non-communicable diseases worldwide, affecting nearly 3.7 billion people. To put that into perspective, three in four people have signs of sensitive teeth, over half of adults suffer with gum problems, and one in five adults wear a denture.”

Despite the universal need for oral care and intervention, Singh explains that access to care remains uneven, and people “from lower socio-economic backgrounds often face the greatest barriers.”

Structural inequality in oral care access leads to poor oral care, which poses multifaceted consequences, says Singh.

“In communities around the world, limited access to dental services, fewer educational resources, and higher exposure to risk factors such as tobacco use and high sugar diets contribute to poorer outcomes. This often results in higher levels of untreated tooth decay, gum disease, and sensitivity, with knock-on effects for overall health and well-being.”

Beyond controllable contributors to poor oral health, such as smoking or diet, oral care can also be costly for people living in poorer economic conditions, with other necessities often ranking higher on priority lists.

However, skipping preventive oral care due to economic reasons only delays costs. Singh explains that, in these scenarios, people who struggle to access preventative dental appointments or essential oral health products go on to develop much more pressing and expensive dental problems.

Prevention and oral health education are key to improving outcomes.“As a result, not only is the disease burden higher for lower-income groups, but treatment costs can be up to 50% higher, further exacerbating inequality,” says Singh. 

What can businesses do?

The private sector, Sing says, can help close the gap in oral health care access in underserved populations. He explains how Haleon approaches its equity efforts. 

“At Haleon, we see self-care as a critical first step. For us, that means strengthening oral health literacy, especially among underserved populations, through inclusive policies, community-based programmes and public-private partnerships.”

According to Singh, industry investment can have a meaningful impact. He says that evidence shows reducing low health literacy by just 25% could save up to 0.5% of GDP in some markets, “which really underlines the scale of the opportunity.”

However, he notes that no one organization can make an impact on its own, and that a collaborative industry response is essential. “To improve oral health literacy and accelerate prevention, we must bring together organizations, policymakers, and health professionals,” says Singh.

He highlights programs like Aquafresh Shine Bright in the UK, which supports early oral health education in schools, and the company’s work in Poland, where they are working with the Polish Senate and the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists to deliver oral health education in primary schools.

“These kinds of initiatives show how businesses like ours can help break down barriers and support better everyday oral health.”