If Claire Stevens, BSPD's media spokesperson, could influence the New Year's resolutions of the UK's Health ministers, she knows exactly what she would like them to ask for. Her over-arching wish is for the next generation to be completely free from dental disease. In order to achieve this, she believes the following New Year's resolutions should be made by the Health Ministers in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales:

  1. 1

    Clear and consistent labeling of foods and drinks should be made mandatory to benefit consumers of all ages. New rules should make labeling completely simple – nothing half-baked or cloaked in jargon – so it's possible to understand immediately the amount of sugar in any given product. For instance, nine teaspoons in a standard can of Coke.

  2. 2

    Introduction of a tax on food and drink with high sugar content but implemented in such a way that healthy food and drinks are incentivised. Currently, says Claire, her young patients tell her that a bottle of water in a vending machine is the same price as a bottle of sweetened, carbonated drink. Not only should the latter be more expensive but the water should be cheaper.

  3. 3

    A clear plan of action is the third and last resolution that Claire would like our leaders to have. A report called Sugar Reduction The evidence for Action was published by Public Health England in October but BSPD has heard nothing since. She would like to be kept informed of developments and to see an implementation plan for the reports recommendations. Finally, says Claire, as more money is accrued by the UK's governments through higher taxation on sugar, it should fund programmes of prevention to reduce inequalities and meet the needs of local populations.