Oral health

Abstract

The Lancet Editorial on oral health1The LancetOral health: prevention is key.Lancet. 2009; 373: 1Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (62) Google Scholar brings a welcome focus to a set of common diseases often overlooked by policymakers. You correctly note the high burden of oral diseases on populations and the central importance of prevention for any national oral health strategy, but particularly for low-income and middle-income countries. Proper implementation of the action plan called for in the 2007 WHO World Health Assembly resolution on oral health can substantially reduce this burden.2Petersen PE World Health Organization global policy for improvement of oral health—World Health Assembly 2007.Int Dent J. 2008; 58: 115-121PubMed Google ScholarHowever, in the possible causes of the neglect of oral diseases, the facts do not support the contention that “dentists have also taken little interest in advocacy to promote good oral health, preferring to treat rather than prevent oral diseases”. International dental organisations such as the FDI World Dental Federation and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) have specific policies on oral disease prevention and host frequent meetings and symposia on the subject. The FDI and IADR strongly supported the adoption of the above-mentioned WHO resolution. National dental organisations are also strong advocates of prevention efforts and develop patient education materials for their member dentists to distribute, along with manufacturer-provided sample-size tubes of fluoride toothpaste.Of course, one of the great public health interventions of the last century was the fluoridation of public water supplies or the use of fluoridated salt, which the dental profession tirelessly supported. Although the dental profession could always do more, there are few health professions that have done as much in the name of prevention.I am a paid staff member of the International Association for Dental Research. The Lancet Editorial on oral health1The LancetOral health: prevention is key.Lancet. 2009; 373: 1Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (62) Google Scholar brings a welcome focus to a set of common diseases often overlooked by policymakers. You correctly note the high burden of oral diseases on populations and the central importance of prevention for any national oral health strategy, but particularly for low-income and middle-income countries. Proper implementation of the action plan called for in the 2007 WHO World Health Assembly resolution on oral health can substantially reduce this burden.2Petersen PE World Health Organization global policy for improvement of oral health—World Health Assembly 2007.Int Dent J. 2008; 58: 115-121PubMed Google Scholar However, in the possible causes of the neglect of oral diseases, the facts do not support the contention that “dentists have also taken little interest in advocacy to promote good oral health, preferring to treat rather than prevent oral diseases”. International dental organisations such as the FDI World Dental Federation and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) have specific policies on oral disease prevention and host frequent meetings and symposia on the subject. The FDI and IADR strongly supported the adoption of the above-mentioned WHO resolution. National dental organisations are also strong advocates of prevention efforts and develop patient education materials for their member dentists to distribute, along with manufacturer-provided sample-size tubes of fluoride toothpaste. Of course, one of the great public health interventions of the last century was the fluoridation of public water supplies or the use of fluoridated salt, which the dental profession tirelessly supported. Although the dental profession could always do more, there are few health professions that have done as much in the name of prevention. I am a paid staff member of the International Association for Dental Research.