For the first time since 1981, oral health was on the agenda at the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Executive Board Meeting in Geneva. The WHO's Global Oral Health Programme prepared an extensive report entitled Oral Health: action plan for promotion and integrated disease prevention.

Dr Chan says oral diseases are a neglected area of international health.

Dr Margaret Chan, the newly elected Director-General of the WHO, said that oral diseases are a “neglected area of international health”, despite their huge impact on wellbeing and economies, particularly in low and middle-income countries. “The tools and best practices are there and we need to ensure that they are applied and implemented,” she added. Member states urged WHO to allocate more resources to matters of oral health and integrated disease prevention.

The President of the FDI World Dental Federation, Dr Michèle Aerden, addressed the WHO Board and recognised the important strategic principles mentioned in the report. The FDI supports the integration of oral health into general health promotion and is keen to involve the dental profession as an active and responsible partner in integrated disease prevention. “By reducing the risks common to many chronic diseases, such as smoking or high sugar consumption, we do not only improve oral health but also other chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardio-vascular diseases,” said Dr Aerden in her statement.

The report cited oral disease as a serious public health problem, linking periodontal disease and tooth loss to other chronic diseases and oral cancer to such lifestyle determinants as tobacco and alcohol consumption.

The proposed action plan for oral health will be discussed at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May 2007 in Geneva. The FDI will encourage, facilitate and coordinate activities and initiatives on this historic occasion.