A recipe for future research

So what is the link between oral and general health? This has been the cause of on-going debate across the health arena resulting in some grand statements, which may or may not be underpinned by evidence. The need to consider the evidence base and its gaps prompted Public Health England (PHE) to set up a review of current evidence which will also inform future research and its subsequent translation into healthcare practice. Rapid reviews, in comparison with systematic reviews, provide a quick streamlined approach to synthesising evidence.1 They may include broad questions and use descriptive summary/categorisation of the data, as opposed to qualitative summary +/meta-analysis.1 Whilst both involve rigor and critical appraisal, systematic reviews are best for addressing focused questions and take longer. A steering group led by King’s College London Dental Institute (KCLDI) was formed of players from PHE, the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the British Dental Association. Topic areas focused on four of the top global diseases; diabetes mellitus, pulmonary disease, dementia and cardiovascular disease, while recognising that many other areas including kidney and liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stillbirth and mental health would also benefit from further inquiry. • Cardiovascular disease (CVD): affects around 7 million people in the UK and is a significant cause of disability and death.2 Despite a significant reduction in deaths from CVD in the past 20 years, it remains the leading cause of disability years of life lost in England,3 and the second highest cause of death in England being responsible for 26% of all deaths in the UK; nearly 160,000 deaths each year2 • Diabetes: Affects around 3.8 million people aged 16 years and over (diagnosed and undiagnosed), equal to 8.6% of the population of this age group. Although mortality rates from diabetes have fallen, the prevalence of people with disability years of life lost is rising.3 • Pulmonary disease (inc. common obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]): COPD is seen in around 2% of the population (at all ages),4 and is the fourth most common cause of death and years of life lost in England.3 Pneumonia was the cause of 5% of all deaths in 20145