The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a renewed call for global action to address the high burden of oral diseases in children, which remains a major public health challenge. According to the WHO's Global Oral Health Status Report, an estimated 514 million children worldwide suffer from caries of primary teeth. The organization emphasizes that these conditions are largely preventable through effective public health measures.
Key risk factors include high intake of free sugars, inadequate exposure to fluoride, and poor access to oral health care services. The WHO advocates for the integration of essential oral health interventions into national health systems and universal health coverage schemes. This includes promoting affordable fluoride toothpaste, implementing public water fluoridation where appropriate, and providing training for non-dental health workers to deliver basic preventive care.
"Oral health has long been neglected in global health, yet it is a marker of overall health, well-being and quality of life," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a recent statement. The WHO's Global strategy on oral health aims to ensure universal coverage for oral health services for all individuals and communities by 2030, with a focus on prevention and addressing social and commercial determinants.
