PHA-Exchange> WHO: World Oral Health Report 2003

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From: "Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC)" <ruglucia at PAHO.ORG>

World Oral Health Report 2003


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>
-  <http://www.who.int/entity/oral_health/media/en/orh_report03_fr.pdf>
Rapport sur la santé bucco-dentaire dans le monde [.pdf, 912 KB]

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 changing 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 common risks to
most chronic diseases. Oral diseases qualify as major public health
problems due to their high prevalence and incidence in all regions of
the world and as for all diseases the greatest burden of oral diseases
is on the disadvantaged and socially 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 noncommunicable diseases and the common risk
factor approach is a new strategy to managing 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.

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 developing 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, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
"There is a perception that dental caries is no longer a problem in the
developed world, but it affects 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 function and
reduced quality of life, is both extensive and expensive. Treatment is
estimated to account for between 5-10% of health costs in
industrialized countries, and is beyond the resources of many
developing countries.

Globally, most children shows signs of gingivitis (bleeding gums) and
among adults, the initial stages of periodontal disease are prevalent.
Severe periodontitis, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 5-15%
of most populations. In industrialized 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 cavity ranks
amongst the three most common types of cancer. However, sharp increases
of oral/pharyngeal cancers have also been reported for several
countries and regions such as Denmark, Germany, Scotland, central and
eastern Europe, and to a lesser extent, Australia, New Zealand, Japan
and the USA. Smoking, smokeless tobacco, chewing betel, and alcohol
use, are all risk factors...."

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 - Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion - World Health Organization
Geneva, Switzerland - petersenpe at who.int