Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the cost burden of dental diseases among Thai people using
the cost of illness concept. Prevalence of oral illnesses was estimated from the 8th National Oral Health
Survey in 2017. This study assessed only direct costs for treating dental caries, periodontal diseases, and
tooth loss to the entire population. The study’s results showed that 45.0 percent of Thai citizens had
dental caries, 74.5 percent had gingivitis, 15.7 percent had periodontitis, and 31.4 percent required
dentures. A total of 156,925.1 million baht, or 1% of GDP, would be required if all essential treatments
were provided. There were 28.7 million individuals who needed dental caries treatments, 47.6 million
gingivitis treatments, 10.0 million periodontitis treatments, and 20.1 million who required removable
dentures for dental losses. Dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth loss accounted for 32.9%,
15.3%, 10.9%, and 40.8% of the total costs, respectively. Oral diseases were 36.8, 22.5, 6.5, and 4.4 times
more expensive to treatment than diabetes, respiratory conditions, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders,
respectively. In summary, the cost of treating these oral diseases was high. Therefore, self-managed
technology to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases to reduce tooth loss and measures to
mitigate commercial determinants of oral disease across the population would lower overall treatment
costs.
