Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve the oral health of those over 65.

In England, local authorities are responsible for assessing oral health needs and improving the oral health of their local population including those over the age of 65.

To support local authorities in this role Public Health England (PHE) published Commissioning better oral health for vulnerable older people: An evidence-informed toolkit for local authorities which gives an overview of the impact of oral diseases in vulnerable older people and presents the evidence of what works to improve their oral health. The toolkit for local authorities is attached. It is supported by an evidence review and a resource compendium to support oral health improvement of vulnerable older people in all settings.