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How Will Dentists Help Include Oral Health in Global Health?

|Teeth First|
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Healthy adult dentition

The WHO global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013-2020 contains specific mention of oral diseases. The plan was adopted by WHO member states on 27 May at the 66th World Health Assembly (Geneva, 20 to 28 May 2013).

The reference to oral diseases reflects government commitments in the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on NCDs, which recognize that oral diseases share risk factors with the four major chronic diseases—cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular and respiratory disease—and thus benefit from a common approach.

With the adoption of the global monitoring framework and the ambitious 9 global targets below, all governments are for the first time accountable for progress on NCDs.

1) A 25% relative reduction in risk of premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases

(2)  At least 10% relative reduction in the harmful use of alcohol, as appropriate, within the national context

(3)  A 10% relative reduction in prevalence of insufficient physical activity

(4)  A 30% relative reduction in mean population intake of salt/sodium

(5)  A 30% relative reduction in prevalence of current tobacco use in persons aged 15+ years

(6)  A 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure or contain the prevalence of raised blood

pressure, according to national circumstances

(7)  Halt the rise in diabetes and obesity

(8)  At least 50% of eligible people receive drug therapy and counselling (including glycaemic control) to prevent

heart attacks and strokes

(9) An 80% availability of the affordable basic technologies and essential medicines, including generics, required to treat major noncommunicable diseases in both public and private facilities

WHAT ARE DENTISTS WILLING TO DO TO CONTRIBUTE IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE ABOVE 9 GLOBAL TARGETS?

WHERE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PROFESSIONS TO TAKE ON  HEALTH LEADERSHIP?

FDI President, Dr Orlando Monteiro da Silva commented: “The WHO document, in line with the 2011 UN political declaration, acknowledges that a comprehensive response for prevention and control of NCDs should take into account oral diseases, along with other conditions. This is a considerable achievement for our profession and a milestone towards the inclusion of oral health in global health.â€