World Health Organization Declares Oral Health a Global Priority

The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a resolution that elevates oral health to a global health priority and calls for member states to integrate oral health within national policies. The resolution was adopted at the 74th World Health Assembly.

According to the new resolution, WHO recommends member states address key risk factors shared between oral conditions and other noncommunicable diseases, expand the capabilities of oral health professionals, and strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration. The organization will develop a global strategy for tackling oral disease and draft an action plan by 2023 that will include recommended interventions.

From Decisions in Dentistry. July 2021;7(7):6.