A 20% sugar tax on beverages could prevent 3.7 million cases of tooth decay in Australia, according to a Griffith University study published in BMJ Public Health, which also estimates the policy would reduce gum disease and complete tooth loss while generating half a million health-adjusted life years.
The research, led by Professor Lennert Veerman and colleagues, models the impact of a 20% sugar tax on Australia’s oral health, finding it could avert 3.7 million cases of tooth decay, 191,000 instances of gum disease, and 115,000 cases of complete tooth loss.
Australia’s Oral Health Crisis and the Tax Solution
Oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people globally, with nearly 32 per cent of Australian adults facing untreated tooth decay. The study highlights that males, who consume more sugary drinks and have higher baseline oral disease rates, would benefit most from the tax. Adjunct Research Fellow Mishel Shahid noted this is the first Australian research to quantify impacts beyond tooth decay, incorporating periodontitis and edentulism—commonly known as complete tooth loss—which significantly amplify the tax’s overall impact.
Professor Marco Peres from SingHealth Duke-NUS in Singapore emphasized that the findings underscore the need to consider oral health when evaluating policies targeting sugar consumption. A sugar tax is a population-level measure,
he said. It does not rely solely on individuals changing their behavior but helps create an environment where healthier choices become easier.
New Zealand’s Parallel Push for a Sugar Levy
New Zealand’s Dental Association (NZDA) is advocating for a similar levy, arguing it could save the health system up to $2.2 billion. The proposed tiered excise tax, modeled on the UK’s Soft Drinks Industry Levy, would target sugary drinks based on sugar content, with all revenue directed to dental care, community programs, and school water fountains. Dr. Rob Beaglehole, NZDA Senior Advisor, cited the UK’s 2018 levy as evidence of success, noting a significant drop in children requiring hospital dental procedures.
The NZDA’s White Paper also highlights that Māori and Pasifika children, who bear the highest rates of severe tooth decay, would gain the most from the levy. Every year we wait is another year of kids in hospital for something we know how to prevent,
Beaglehole said, urging political parties to commit to the policy ahead of the November election.
Global Precedents and Tax Design
Over 100 countries have implemented sugar taxes, with evidence showing they reduce consumption and encourage manufacturers to lower sugar content. This approach, already effective in the UK, saw a decline in high-sugar products from 52% to 15% between 2015 and 2019.
Such taxes also yield fiscal benefits.
Why This Matters: Health, Equity, and Policy
For Australia, the study provides a clear roadmap: a 20% tax could prevent millions of dental issues and save billions in healthcare costs. New Zealand’s parallel efforts highlight a growing regional consensus on the need for fiscal tools to address preventable diseases. As political debates intensify, the evidence from both nations suggests that sugar taxes are not just a public health measure but a fiscally responsible strategy for sustainable healthcare systems.
