CONCLUSION

5 CONCLUSION

The intention of the present global survey was to determine country application of oral disease prevention and health promotion 10 years after the approval of the 2007 WHO World Health Assembly resolution on oral health.23

Inequities between countries in coverage by primary oral health care and emergency care is substantial. The study indicated that it remains a challenge to especially low‐ and middle‐income countries to realize the WHO policy on Universal Health Coverage as regards oral health and as recommended by the 2019 United Nations Political Declaration on Universal Health Care.65

A considerable number of countries have established programmes for oral disease prevention and health promotion. Meanwhile, the gap between countries in delivery of preventive services and health promotion is strong, which may relate to health systems factors. In low‐and middle‐income countries, these factors include insufficient financial support to prevention and health promotion; inadequate workforce for oral health; and absence of policies for oral health.

The establishment of school‐based oral health promotion varies significantly between countries. Preventive services and health promotion in schools have the potential of breaking existing health inequities in children and adolescents and oral health through schools should be ensured by countries.

The use of maternity and child health facilities is occasional in low‐income countries. Such centres are important for health communication, disease prevention and control and should be reinforced.

According to the survey, several countries have accepted an integrative approach for oral disease prevention and health promotion. Effective disease prevention links oral health with general health and intervention against NCD risk factors. Intervention against tobacco use and consumption of sugars needs strengthening in low‐income countries. National policies for reduction of the intake of sugars should be encouraged for countries without such authorized recommendations.

Most people of high‐income countries benefit from use of toothpaste containing fluoride; however, enhanced use of such toothpaste is desirable in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Fluoridation methods should be considered by countries where people are not exposed adequately to the preventive effect of fluoride. Such initiative may help breaking the inequities in dental caries. Optimal concentration of fluoride in toothpaste is warranted and should be recommended by national health authorities.

Formulation of national targets for oral health and establishment of information systems for surveillance of oral health of children, adolescents, adults and older people should be encouraged.

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