Support for SACN

A report from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) highlights the specific actions it deems necessary to improve the nation’s heath, a key part of which was focussed on dental health.

With sugar intake having an ever increasing effect on our teeth, the report calls for the average intake of ‘free sugars’, including those added to food, to not exceed 5 per cent of daily calories.

President of the BSDHT Michaela ONeill believes this call on the government can make a real difference to attitudes on sugars in our diet.

Ms ONeill said: “It is not ground breaking to hear that sugar is harmful to our teeth but the sheer scale of the problem is something that cannot be overstated. Tooth decay is the number one cause of hospital admissions among Britain's children.

“These ‘free sugars’ have no nutritional value and by reducing the frequency of their intake there is huge potential to make a real difference not only to our dental health but also in the battle against obesity.”