From words to action: What does the new WHO resolution on Oral health mean for populations, the oral health community, and health systems?
In May 2021, the 74th session of the World Health Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on Oral health, witnessing the return of oral health to the global health agenda. The resolution recognizes the immense global burden of oral diseases and their associations with other noncommunicable disease (NCDs), urging Member States to put a greater focus on prevention interventions that tackle shared risk factors, include essential oral healthcare within universal health coverage (UHC) benefit packages, and support oral health research and professionals to deliver quality prevention and care.
In May 2021, the 74th session of the World Health Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on Oral health (WHA74.5), witnessing the return of oral health to the global health agenda. The resolution recognizes the immense global burden of oral diseases and their associations with other noncommunicable disease (NCDs), urging Member States to put a greater focus on prevention interventions that tackle shared risk factors, include essential oral healthcare within universal health coverage (UHC) benefit packages, and support oral health research and professionals to deliver quality prevention and care. Moreover, the resolution also tasks the World Health Organization (WHO) with the development of a global strategy, action plan with 2030 targets, technical guidance, and NCD “best buys” on oral health, together with the recommendation to consider noma as a neglected tropical disease.
Ahead of the 2021 World Dental Congress (26-29 September), this joint virtual session, co-hosted by FDI World Dental Federation, International Association for Dental Research and NCD Alliance, will discuss the implications of this new resolution for the oral health profession and the opportunities it will bring to improve people’s oral and overall health outcomes. We will hear from the WHO NCD Department about what is next in terms of technical guidance and integration opportunities, and we will learn how FDI’s Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal Oral Health for All can support the implementation phase of the resolution. The session will also highlight the need for collaborative care services and integrated surveillance mechanisms to overcome siloed approaches, the role of research in making oral health promotion and oral healthcare possible at the primary healthcare level, and demonstrate what lessons can be learnt from the experience of the NCD community in advocacy and accountability.
Learning objectives:
- Provide an overview of the latest developments in the global health space to ingrate oral health promotion and oral healthcare within the NCD and UHC agendas.
- Identify windows of opportunity and strategies to implement the new resolution on oral health at the national and regional levels and maximize the integration of oral health within wider health programmes.
- Understand the opportunities to engage different stakeholders (civil society, academia, public-private partnerships) to overcome the implementation challenges to achieve optimal oral health for all.