Strengthening of oral health systems: oral health through primary health care

Abstract

Around the globe many people are suffering from oral pain and other problems of the mouth or teeth. This public health problem is growing rapidly in developing countries where oral health services are limited. Significant proportions of people are underserved; insufficient oral health care is either due to low availability and accessibility of oral health care or because oral health care is costly. In all countries, the poor and disadvantaged population groups are heavily affected by a high burden of oral disease compared to well-off people. Promotion of oral health and prevention of oral diseases must be provided through financially fair primary health care and public health intervention. Integrated approaches are the most cost-effective and realistic way to close the gap in oral health between rich and poor. The World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Programme will work with the newly established WHO Collaborating Centre, Kuwait University, to strengthen the development of appropriate models for primary oral health care.

Fig. 1

Mean number of dentists per 100,000 populations in countries, by national income level [11].

Fig. 2

Mean oral health care coverage (%) in adults 18+ years of age with expressed need, by national income level [12].

Fig. 3

Mean number of primary teeth with experience of dental caries (dmft) among 5- to 6-year-olds of selected countries within WHO regions. dt = decayed teeth; mt = missing teeth due to caries; ft = filled teeth [14].

Fig. 4

Mean number of permanent teeth with experience of dental caries (DMFT) among 12-year-olds of selected countries within WHO regions. DT = Decayed Teeth; MT = Missing Teeth; FT = Filled Teeth [14].

Fig. 5

Mean number of permanent teeth with experience of dental caries (DMFT) among 35- to 44-year-olds of selected countries within WHO regions. DT = Decayed Teeth; MT = Missing Teeth; FT = Filled Teeth [14].