According to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, 3.5 billion people are affected by oral diseases, with three out of every four affected living in low and middle-income countries.
In a statement released on Friday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus stated this.
Despite the fact that many oral diseases could be prevented and treated using the report’s cost-effective recommendations, Ghebreyesus claimed that oral health had long been neglected in global health.
He claims that the Global Oral Health Status Report examined significant regions and markers across 194 nations in a first-ever comprehensive overview and found that the number of cases has increased by one billion over the previous 30 years.
According to him, the primary cause is that many people lack access to prevention and treatment.
“One billion with severe gum disease, the most common oral diseases stem from dental cavities.
” Gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers are among the most prevalent oral diseases, while tooth decay is the single most common condition around the world, affecting an estimated 2.5 billion people,” Ghebreyesus said.
A billion people are thought to be affected by severe gum disease, which is a major factor in total tooth loss, according to the head of the WHO, and 380,000 new cases of oral cancer are discovered each year.
He claims that the study emphasizes unequal access to oral health care, with disadvantaged and vulnerable populations being most affected.
According to him, oral diseases are more common in low-income and disabled individuals, elderly people living alone or in nursing homes, residents of remote and rural communities, and members of minority groups.
According to Ghebreyesus, the pattern of inequality mirrored that of other noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, mental disorders, and cardiovascular diseases (NCDs).
He claimed that the global oral health crisis was exacerbated by risk factors for NCDs like excessive sugar consumption, tobacco use, and alcohol use.
He claims that inadequate data and surveillance systems, coupled with the low priority given to research in oral health, are obstacles to creating interventions and regulations that are more effective.
Taking a public health approach by addressing common risk factors, he said, was one way to improve oral health worldwide.
