WHO: World Oral Health Report 2003
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Continuous improvement of oral health in the 21st century - the
approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme
Download Documents - Available in English and French at:
http://www.who.int/oral_health/publications/report03/en/
http://www.who.int/entity/oral_health/media/en/orh_report03_en.pdf
Rapport sur la santé bucco-dentaire dans le monde (PDF, 912 KB)
http://www.who.int/entity/oral_health/media/en/orh_report03_fr.pdf
Chronic diseases and injuries are the leading health problems in
all but a few parts of the world. The rapidly changing disease
patterns throughout the world are particularly linked to chang-
ing lifestyles which include diets rich in sugar, wide-spread
use of tobacco and increased consumption of alcohol.
In addition to socio-environmental conditions, oral health is
highly related to the mentioned lifestyle factors which are com-
mon risks to most chronic diseases. Oral diseases qualify as ma-
jor public health problems due to their high prevalence and in-
cidence in all regions of the world and as for all diseases the
greatest burden of oral diseases is on the disadvantaged and so-
cially marginalized populations. The severe impact in terms of
pain and suffering, impairment of function and their effect on
quality of life must also be considered.
Traditional treatment of oral diseases is extremely costly in
several industrialized countries and not feasible or possible to
most low-income and middle-income countries. The WHO Global
Strategy for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
and the common risk factor approach is a new strategy to manag-
ing prevention and control of oral diseases.
This document outlines the current oral health situation at
global level and the strategies and approaches for better oral
health in the 21st Century.
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Press release: 24 February 2004, Geneva
Oral diseases such as dental caries (tooth decay), periodontitis
(gum disease) and oral and pharyngeal cancers are a global
health problem in both industrialized and increasingly in devel-
oping countries, especially amongst poorer communities, the
World Health Organization (WHO) said announcing the findings of
the World Oral Health Report, WHO said that an estimated five
billion people worldwide had experienced dental caries.
"Worldwide, losing teeth is seen as a natural consequence of
ageing, but it is in fact preventable," said Dr Catherine Le
Gales-Camus, WHO's Assistant-Director General, Non-communicable
Diseases and Mental Health. "There is a perception that dental
caries is no longer a problem in the developed world, but it af-
fects 60-90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults.
Dental caries is also the most prevalent oral disease in several
Asian and Latin American countries."
The impact of oral diseases in pain, suffering, impaired func-
tion and reduced quality of life, is both extensive and expen-
sive. Treatment is estimated to account for between 5-10% of
health costs in industrialized countries, and is beyond the re-
sources of many developing countries.
Globally, most children shows signs of gingivitis (bleeding
gums) and among adults, the initial stages of periodontal dis-
ease are prevalent. Severe periodontitis, which may result in
tooth loss, is found in 5-15% of most populations. In industri-
alized countries, studies show that smoking is a key risk factor
for periodontal disease.
The prevalence of oral cancer is the eighth most common cancer
of men worldwide. In south central Asia, cancer of the oral cav-
ity ranks amongst the three most common types of cancer. How-
ever, sharp increases of oral/pharyngeal cancers have also been
reported for several countries and regions such as Denmark, Ger-
many, Scotland, central and eastern Europe, and to a lesser ex-
tent, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the USA. Smoking, smoke-
less tobacco, chewing betel, and alcohol use, are all risk fac-
tors.
Content:
BACKGROUND
POLICY BASIS FOR THE WHO ORAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
Oral health is integral and essential to general health
Oral health is a determinant factor for quality of life
Oral health - general health
Proper oral health care reduces premature mortality
What is the burden of oral disease?
Oral disease burdens and common risk factors
Oral health surveillance and goals
THE POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR THE WHO ORAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES IN ORAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH
PROMOTION
PRIORITY ACTION AREAS FOR GLOBAL ORAL HEALTH
Oral health and fluorides
Diet, nutrition and oral health
Tobacco and oral health
Oral health through Health Promoting Schools
Oral health of youth
Oral health improvement amongst the elderly
Oral health, general health and quality of life
Oral health systems
HIV/AIDS and oral health
Oral health information systems, evidence for oral health policy
and formulation of goals
Research for oral health
CONCLUSION
Contact Information:
Poul Erik Petersen
Oral Health Programme
Non-communicable Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
World Health Organization
Geneva, Switzerland
mailto:petersenpe@who.int