The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday said about 3.5 billion people suffered from oral diseases, with three out of four affected living in low and middle-income countries.
WHO stated this in a new report published to provide the first-ever comprehensive picture of oral disease burden with data profiles for 194 countries.
The report gives unique insights into key areas and markers of oral health that are relevant for decision-makers.
“Oral health has long been neglected in global health, but many oral diseases can be prevented and treated with the cost-effective measures outlined in this report,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said.
In a first-ever comprehensive overview, the Global Oral Health Status Report analysed key areas and markers throughout 194 countries and showed that cases had increased by one billion over the last 30 years.
According to WHO, the main reason for increase in the disease burden is that many people do not have access to prevention and treatment.
It noted that the most common oral diseases stemmed from dental cavities.
It added that gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers were among the most prevalent oral diseases, while tooth decay was the single most common condition around the world, affecting an estimated 2.5 billion people.
“Severe gum disease, a major cause of total tooth loss, is estimated to affect one billion people worldwide and about 380,000 new cases of oral cancers are diagnosed every year,” said the report.
The report highlighted unequal access to oral health services, with vulnerable and disadvantaged populations most affected.
“People on low incomes and with disabilities; older individuals living alone or in care facilities; those in remote and rural communities; and people from minority groups, carry a higher burden of oral diseases,” said WHO.
It noted that from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes and mental disorders, the pattern of inequality paralleled other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
“And risk factors common to NCDs such as high sugar intake, tobacco, and alcohol also contribute to the global oral health crisis.
“WHO is committed to providing guidance and support to countries so that all people, wherever they live and whatever their income, have the knowledge and tools needed to look after their teeth and mouths.
“Also, to access services for prevention and care when they need them.
“Only a small percentage of the global population is covered by essential oral health services, and those with the greatest need often have the least access,” Ghebreyesus said.
The report outlined key barriers to oral health services, including high out-of-pocket expenditures, which often led to catastrophic costs and financial burden for families and communities.
Additionally, he said highly specialised providers used expensive high-tech equipment and these services were not integrated with primary health care models.
Moreover, he noted that poor information and surveillance systems, combined with low priority for oral health research, were bottlenecks to developing more effective interventions and policies.
However, he said opportunities for improved global oral health included adopting a public health approach by addressing common risk factors.
These, he said, involved promoting a well-balanced diet low in sugars, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, and improving access to fluoride toothpaste.
Other solutions outlined in the report support making oral health part of national health services; redefining oral health workforces to respond to population needs; expanding oral health service coverage; and collecting and integrating oral health data into national health monitoring systems.
“Placing people at the heart of oral health services is critical “to achieve the vision of universal health coverage for all individuals and communities by 2030,” Bente Mikkelsen, WHO Director for Noncommunicable Diseases, said.
By providing baseline information to help countries monitor implementation progress along with timely and relevant feedback to national decision-makers, she described the report as “a starting point. Together, we can change the current situation of oral health neglect.”