Adult Oral Health Survey, 2023

The Adult Oral Health Survey, 2023 (AOHS) is the sixth iteration of a series of nationally representative surveys on adult oral and dental health, conducted approximately every decade since 1968. The 2023 survey was renamed the Adult Oral Health Survey from the Adult Dental Health (ADH) Survey to more accurately reflect its focus and scope in capturing the overall oral health and well-being of the mouth, including teeth and gums, but also the specific dental health and condition of the teeth and gums. The survey was commissioned by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The survey was conducted by a consortium led by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). The consortium included dental academics with experience of oral epidemiology from the Department of Dentistry at the University of Birmingham, the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College London, the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University, the Dental Public Health Group at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, and the Office for National Statistics. The University of Leeds also provided guidance and support to the survey and its design. The purpose of AOHS 2023 was to provide information on the condition of adults' teeth and oral health, and to track changes in oral health over time. The specific aims of the survey were to: examine dental experiences, knowledge of, and attitudes towards dental care and oral hygiene determine the condition of natural teeth and supporting tissues analyse changes in dental health, attitudes, and behaviour over time provide the evidence and demonstrate impact in various topic areas, including impact on quality of life and to inform dental health policy