OTS - FDI World Dental Federation calls for global leaders to prioritise action against oral diseases at major UN meeting on health
2023. March 20. 09:00
Geneva, 20 March, 2023 (APA/OTS) - Call issued on World Oral Health
Day, as data shows oral diseases impact nearly half the world's
population
- Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -
Today, FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) called on governments
and global health bodies to prioritise action against oral
diseases, including through integrating oral health at the United
Nations (UN) High Level Meeting (HLM) on Universal Health Coverage
(UHC) discussions in September.
The Meeting will take place in New York and is a key
opportunity for countries and stakeholders to assess progress on
UHC following the first HLM in 2019 and identify areas for concrete
action to provide health for all.
Oral diseases are the most prevalent conditions affecting
people worldwide, with close to 3.5 billion people suffering from
tooth decay, severe gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer,
according to estimates from the World Health Organization
(WHO)(https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240061484) .
There are nearly one billion more cases of oral diseases than all
five major noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and mental
disorders) combined.
"Good oral health is a vital part of our daily lives, both in
terms of physical health and mental well-being," said Prof. Ihsane
Ben Yahya, President of FDI World Dental Federation and Dean of the
Dental Faculty at the Mohammed VI University of Health and Sciences
in Casablanca, Morocco.
"With oral diseases impacting billions of people every year, it
is time for governments and global health agencies to draw a line
in the sand and act. That means ensuring equitable access to
affordable, quality oral healthcare for all, and making oral health
central to plans for universal health coverage."
Good oral health is critical to breathing, eating, speaking,
and smiling. When oral disease is left untreated, it can severely
impact a person's health and social prospects. Sufferers are at
risk of continued pain and the development of secondary diseases,
social isolation, exclusion from the workforce, and reduced
educational performance.
Most oral diseases are preventable and treatable with
cost-effective interventions. However, many people aren't able to
access care for several reasons, including availability and
affordability. Nearly 75% of people suffering from oral disease
globally live in low- and middle-income countries, where the cost
of oral healthcare can often be catastrophic for a family.
In recent years, there has been increasing action against oral
diseases at the global level. In 2021, countries supported a
ground-breaking WHO resolution on oral health, and this year, the
76th session of the World Health Assembly will adopt the Global
Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030), which calls on governments to
ensure that "80% of the global population is entitled to essential
oral healthcare services." This would be achieved through, among
other measures, countries prioritizing the integration of oral
health into their national health services and ensuring there are
enough trained dental health professionals.
"We welcome the growing momentum on oral health, including the
upcoming adoption of the Global Oral Health Action Plan, which
aligns with FDI's Vision 2030 to Delivering Optimal Oral Health For
All. It is now vital that this momentum is converted into tangible
action against oral disease so that the people most affected can
enjoy a lifetime of smiles," said Prof. Ihsane Ben Yahya.
World Oral Health Day (https://www.worldoralhealthday.org/) is
a great opportunity for oral health professionals, policymakers,
academics and the broader global community to promote the
importance of positive attitudes towards oral healthcare. To
celebrate this day, FDI urges people all around the world to take
part in its #MouthProud challenge
(https://www.worldoralhealthday.org/mouthproud-challenge) and
inspire others to take care of their mouths for a healthy smile and
a healthy life.
##
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Media contact:
Michael Kessler
Media Relations, FDI
Mob: + 34 655 792 699
Email: michael.kessler@intoon-media.com
About FDI World Dental Federation
FDI World Dental Federation (http://www.fdiworlddental.org/)
serves as the principal representative body for over 1 million
dentists worldwide. Its membership includes some 200 national
dental associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries.
FDI has the vision of leading the world to optimal oral health.
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