Last year, a two-part Series in The Lancet ,outlined why oral diseases have persisted globally over recent decades, despite scientific advancements, and why prevalence has increased in many low-income and middle-income countries, and among socially disadvantaged and vulnerable people, wherever they live. Following the publication of the Series and in recognition of the global public health importance and woeful policy neglect of oral diseases, The Lancet established in 2020 a Commission on Oral Health.
Oral diseases are among the most prevalent diseases globally, affecting over 3.5 billion people. The key risk factors are sugar, tobacco and unhealthy alcohol consumption. Industries responsible for these products use powerful strategies to influence policies and the research agenda. These commercial determinants must be addressed to reduce the global oral disease burden. There is also an urgent need to raise the political and policy profile of oral health at international, national, and community levels.
Dentistry has failed to tackle the underlying causes of oral diseases, nor to address inequalities. Clinical dentistry and dental education remain siloed from broader health care and training systems and has focused on surgical, high-technology, and specialised management of disease rather than an upstream, preventive approach. Furthermore, the current model of dental care is costly, unrealistic for health systems in many countries and unaffordable for poor and disadvantaged populations, thereby exacerbating inequalities.
This symposium will outline plans of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health and how IADR and the dental research community can contribute to the future work of the Commission.
Oral diseases are among the most prevalent diseases globally, affecting over 3.5 billion people. The key risk factors are sugar, tobacco and unhealthy alcohol consumption. Industries responsible for these products use powerful strategies to influence policies and the research agenda. These commercial determinants must be addressed to reduce the global oral disease burden. There is also an urgent need to raise the political and policy profile of oral health at international, national, and community levels.
Dentistry has failed to tackle the underlying causes of oral diseases, nor to address inequalities. Clinical dentistry and dental education remain siloed from broader health care and training systems and has focused on surgical, high-technology, and specialised management of disease rather than an upstream, preventive approach. Furthermore, the current model of dental care is costly, unrealistic for health systems in many countries and unaffordable for poor and disadvantaged populations, thereby exacerbating inequalities.
This symposium will outline plans of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health and how IADR and the dental research community can contribute to the future work of the Commission.