Main

Boniface S, Shelton N. Eur J Public Health 2013; doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt016

Not only should dental professionals inform patients of associations been alcohol consumption and oral diseases but dental professionals may also have a role in counselling those as to the deleterious effects of alcohol on general health. When comparing self-reported consumption and alcohol sales as compiled by HM Revenue and Customs, 8.2 units per week per adult were unaccounted for. In a 'revised scenario' that took account of this missing eight units, the prevalence of drinking more than the weekly guidelines increased by 15% for men and 11% for women, such that almost half of men and a third of women exceeded present recommendations. Again adopting the 'revised scenario', 'women have similar odds to men of binge drinking and higher odds of drinking more than daily limits'.