Many Americans believe Britons have bad teeth. But a new study shows Americans actually have more dental problems.

The study was published in the British Medical Journal.

Researchers from University College London, the National University of Colombia and the Harvard School of Public Health found that among people 25 and older, Americans are missing more teeth.

The researchers also found that poor people in the United States had worse teeth than poor people in Britain.

People in Britain receive dental care through the National Health Service, which is funded by taxpayers. In the United States, people either pay for their dental care or buy dental insurance. Many poor people in the United States do not have dental insurance and cannot afford dental care.

In 2004, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that Britain had the lowest number of people with decayed, missing or filled teeth from among all of its 34 member states. The United States was in the middle of the rankings.

I'm Anne Ball.

VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.