How the UK Sugar Tax Has Affected Children’s Oral Health

Tooth decay is also a concern, with a 2024 report finding that 22.4% of 5 year old schoolchildren in England experienced tooth decay, with this number almost doubling in the most deprived areas.

With poor diet contributing to both obesity rates and tooth decay, clearly more needs to be done to support families to give children the best possible start in life. The sugar tax was one such initiative. It was introduced in 2018 to help shift attention away from food and drink items with high sugar content – so, has this approach worked?

What is the sugar tax?

The sugar tax, or the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), is a new tax on manufacturers of soft drinks. It is aimed at drinks manufactured with added sugar, and is intended to tackle childhood obesity and dental health problems.

The tax was introduced in 2018 and charges a higher tax rate for drinks with 8g or more of sugar per 100ml. The revenue from this tax is directed towards primary school sports programmes and other health initiatives.

The tax is structured on a tiered system, with a standard rate and a higher rate. Drinks with 5g to less than 8g of sugar per 100ml are charged 18p per liter. Drinks with more than 8g of sugar per 100ml are charged 24p per liter. Manufacturers passed this levy on to consumers, making high-sugar drinks more expensive.

Why was the sugar tax introduced?

The tax was primarily introduced to tackle childhood obesity, as high sugar drinks are an easy target to help cut calories from our diets. By making high sugar drinks more expensive, consumers will be less likely to reach for these. And by reducing demand for products, it gives manufacturers an incentive to reformulate their products with less sugar.

Alongside soaring obesity rates, we also have increased rates of tooth decay to deal with. Sugary drinks are one of the top reasons for tooth decay in young children, so reducing the sugar content in popular drinks could help to contribute to improved oral health.

Has the sugar tax worked?

Initial reports indicate that the sugar tax has worked in multiple ways.

First, it has encouraged manufacturers to cut the amount of sugar in their products. Between 2015 and 2020, there was a 43% drop in sugar content for in-scope soft drinks. The levy increased the price of high sugar content soft drinks, incentivising consumers to reach for low sugar alternatives, as they are always cheaper.

Studies have also found that the sugar levy has been successful in reducing childhood obesity among girls aged 10 to 11 by 8%, with this being more prevalent in deprived areas. This is the equivalent to preventing around 5,000 new cases of obesity in children.

What more can be done?

More work needs to be done to make healthy food and drink options more accessible and affordable for everyone. While taxing high sugar choices has clearly incentivised manufacturers to think about how to make their products more healthy, this doesn’t always mean that healthy options are accessible and affordable.

Beyond soft drinks, we need to look at food choices and hidden sugar content in food. This needs to be approached with caution, as low income families would be the hardest hit by a similar levy on high sugar food.

How can your dentist help?

If you’re struggling to help a young person to make better food choices, your dentist is here to help. We can help inspire young people to want to take better care of their teeth. We can also direct you to resources that will support you in your quest to make healthier choices.

We can also offer support to ensure that your child’s diet doesn’t have a lasting impact on their oral health. By showing them the consequences of eating lots of sugar, this is often enough to inspire them to make better choices.

Regular checkups will also help to identify potential issues before they become more widespread. Book an appointment with our team today.