The World Health Organization has recently confirmed that nearly half of the world’s population suffers from oral health issues. In numbers, it is around 3.5 billion people. Most of them are from middle or low-income nations.
The most commonly seen diseases include gum diseases, tooth decay, oral cancers, and tooth loss. The agency further confirms that tooth decay affects almost 2.5 billion people as it is often left untreated. In addition, around 380,000 new oral cancer cases are reported each year.
“Oral health has long been neglected in global health, but many oral diseases can be prevented,” says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-general, WHO.
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The scenario in countries with low or middle income is quite pathetic. People rely on public health facilities for medical treatment, which often lack the equipment to ensure proper dental treatment.
The recent information from WHO also includes the suggestion to improve the situation. The treatment for dental care is quite expensive and is not always covered by the UHC (Universal Health Coverage).
The agency says these nations can make equitable oral health services integral to national service planning. Also, oral health services should be a crucial aspect of primary health care models. The use of fluoride-containing toothpaste should be encouraged. Access to fluoride toothpaste needs to be improved along with other measures.
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Most dental diseases can be easily prevented if addressed in the early stages.
In 2021, the World Health Assembly sanctioned a ‘Resolution on Oral health’ during the 74th World Health Assembly. The resolution suggests a shift from the conventional curative approach to prevention that involves the promotion of oral hygiene within workplaces, schools, and families. The assembly had also put forward a suggestion to make dental health coverage a part of the UHC.