Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are two of the leading causes of death in Jamaica and the world. Despite some improvements, dental caries remains a major, largely untreated public health concern, with high decay rates persisting in many children globally and in Jamaica.

In our society, among the youth and adults, the consumption of sugar-containing beverages is habitual — a habit which can have serious significance to dental and general health.

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas, juices, and energy drinks, have increased levels of acids and sugars which may cause damage to the enamel or outer structure of the tooth and contribute to cavities which, if left untreated, can penetrate to the deeper structures of the teeth and cause pain and destruction of the tooth. Unfortunately, permanent teeth do not regenerate, which highlights the need for prevention.

According to the last Healthy Lifestyle Report done in 2017, approximately 12 per cent of adults in Jamaica live with Type 2 diabetes in which the body is unable to use insulin effectively or it is unable to produce the amount of insulin required, leaving the body unable to properly break down sugars, making it a major public health concern.

Diabetes was found to be more common among women and the report revealed that about one in eight Jamaicans 15 years and older are affected by diabetes, while in the 75 years and older 42 per cent of those individuals are affected. This is alarming.

The recently announced Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on sugar-sweetened beverages is indeed a step in the right direction as a policy directive, as Jamaica joins hundreds of countries across the world in heeding the call of the World Health Organization to place a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce the consumption of sugar by our population. This should, in turn, reduce the burden on the health system by reducing the number of people suffering from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and also reduce dental caries.

Any tool to reduce the effects of high consumption of sugar to our population is encouraging. In many countries that have introduced a tax on sugary beverages, there has been a reduction in the consumption of sugary beverages; however, in others there has been no significant change.

Simulation analysis is a quantitative, computer-based method. It is useful to mimic real-world systems, processes, or products to predict behaviour, carry out risk assessment, and make performance more effective. Different situations are tested before implementation. It helps make decisions based upon information without preventing action. In the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and available technology, this would be a useful tool.

A simulation analysis done in Thailand found that the sugar-sweetened beverages tax policy is predicted to decrease the occurrence of dental caries by only one per cent by the year 2040, while a multiple policy approach is projected to reduce the prevalence of dental caries by 21 per cent by the year 2040.

Studies show that sugar-sweetened beverage tax by itself is not likely to improve oral health significantly unless it is done along with a comprehensive policy of public health designed to reduce the total sugar consumed.

While the SCT will generate well-needed revenue, Jamaica should ensure that the benefits of placing a tax on these beverages ought not to be squandered and that it is strengthened by the implementation of greater access to oral health and accompanying policies.

Also vital are policies to bolster the reduction of sugar intake through more far-reaching programmes, activities, and widespread campaigns geared towards better oral and general health choices for all ages and greater access to oral health care.

It would be useful to make mandatory a dental report for children entering educational facilities at the early childhood level so issues may be captured early to reduce the suffering they face due to the destruction of the primary dentition or milk teeth. This policy would be bolstered by an education campaign geared towards low-sugar food and juice choices for this age group.

Pre-teens and teenagers tend to consume a lot of high sugar and salt in their diet, so they benefit from low-sugar beverages in school. However, they also need consistent and widespread messages and interventions targeting their age group. While there is a control on the sugar content in beverages in schools, they would also benefit from low-sugar foods in their diet.

Older patients, especially diabetics, would also benefit from additional special programmes directed at glycaemic control, such as diabetic clubs which could be established in each parish and communities where there would be a specific programme geared towards the control and special management of the chronically uncontrolled patient.

It is, therefore, important that along with the SCT, the front-of-package labelling recommended by the Heart Foundation of Jamaica be implemented as a policy. Unfortunately, many people don’t even bother to read or even understand the importance of paying attention to food labels, and others are unable to interpret the information.

Front-of-package labelling displays the main nutrients in the container on the front of the packet, enabling the consumer to visualise the contents clearly. It shows whether foods are low, moderate, or high in a particular nutrient, to include sugar and sodium. A national education programme led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information and other stakeholders would go a step further to ensure that the consumer is better tooled to make an informed choice towards their health, planting the seed for better health outcomes for all school-aged children and individuals up to the tertiary level and the population as a whole.

This action — paired with a robust continual in-school and media campaign rolled out to raise the level of awareness that high consumption of sugars is harmful to the body, the result of which are chronic incurable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dental cavities — would be highly beneficial for all ages. These activities could be funded by an allotted portion of the tax collected.

As a worker in the public health sphere, the greatest proof that learning occurs is evidenced in the excited responses of a child when they have learnt something new or when an adult responds correctly to a question after an oral health education talk is given.

During this World Oral Health Day 2026, I applaud any effort to reduce mortality and morbidity of the Jamaican population. I also take this opportunity to urge us to go further in the fight against diseases through partnerships to formulate and implement policies geared towards health solutions for our people which will have far-reaching improvements for a healthier and longer life.

The theme for World Oral Health Day — formulated by the World Federation of Dental Surgeons of which the Jamaica Dental Association is a member — is ‘A happy mouth is a happy life’. This highlights the fact that good oral health is vital and essential for physical wellness, self-confidence, interacting socially, and general well-being at all ages.

It promotes optimal oral health at all ages and stages of life and emphasises that good oral health is important to overall health.

There are five simple inexpensive steps to good oral health I always recommend to patients: floss, brush, use a mouthwash three times daily, make healthy food choices low in salt and low in sugar balanced with fruits and vegetables, and, of course, visit your dentist every six months. This is a prescription for all ages and stages of life. So, as we celebrate another World Oral Health Day, remember: A happy mouth is a happy life.

Dr Wendy Chuck-Francis is president of Jamaica Dental Association.

Sugar-sweetened beverages have increased levels of acids and sugars which may cause damage to the enamel and contribute to cavities.