Scottish Health Survey 2019: summary report

Chapter 3 Dental Health

In 2019, the majority of adults in Scotland had some natural teeth while a small proportion had no natural teeth.

• 7% no natural teeth
• 93% some natural teeth

More than three quarters of adults, 78%, had 20 or more natural teeth.

Natural teeth prevalence reduced with age from almost all adults aged 16–54 having some natural teeth to 71% of those aged 75 and over.

In 2019, most adults in Scotland reported having no issues with their mouth, teeth or dentures.

• 9% any issues reported
• 91% no issues reported

The most common issues adults had with their mouth, teeth or dentures were:

• 6% eating food
• 4% smiling, laughing and showing teeth without embarrassment
• 2% speaking clearly
• 1% emotional stability, such as becoming more easily upset than usual
• <1% affecting their enjoyment of the company of other people

In 2019, adults who had any issues with their mouth, teeth or dentures had lower mental wellbeing (mean WEMWBS score) than those who had no such issues.

• any issues 44.6
• no issues 50.3