The Root of the Problem

Billions 'have untreated tooth decay'

Prof Wagner Marcenes of Queen Mary University of London led an international team of scientists analysing 378 studies involving some 4.7m people between 1990 and 2010.
Their global survey suggests 2.4bn people have untreated tooth decay in their permanent teeth and some 621m children have untreated decay in milk teeth.
According to UK data, a third of the population had untreated dental decay in 2010. In Lithuania, one of the hardest-hit countries, the proportion was more than double this, at 68%.

He said: "It is alarming to see prevention and treatment of tooth decay has been neglected at this level.

Note he does not say "surprising".