Sir, the latest data from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees show a disturbing rise in global displacement. Today, the number of people forced to flee is the highest in recorded history.1
World Refugee Day2 (20 June) is designed to celebrate and honour refugees around the world and this year saw the launch of a new policy brief 'Call to Action: Promoting Oral Health for Refugees'.3 This was developed by the FDI World Dental Federation, in conjunction with Framework Convention on Global Health Alliance, Sustainable Health Equity Movement and World Federation of Public Health Association. It calls on policymakers, healthcare providers, international and national organisations to ensure that oral health is an integral part of health strategies for refugees. By advocating for equitable access to oral health services, we can help alleviate the burdens on refugees and empower them to rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence.
The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) online Autumn Scientific Meeting (November 2022) focused on refugees and asylum seekers. It aimed to help individuals and teams to be able to respond in ways that prevent further harm and support recovery of these people who are affected by trauma and adversity, to address inequalities and improve life choices.4 To celebrate the 50th anniversary of BASCD in 2023, the recording of this event is available as a free resource and can be found at https://youtu.be/yg5khY4CkD8. Promotion of oral health for refugees is not only a matter of health equity and human rights, but also a key step towards achieving the core principle of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, 'leave no one behind'.5
References
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Refugee Data Finder. Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics (accessed July 2023).
United Nations. World Refugee Day 20 June. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/refugee-day (accessed July 2023).
FDI World Dental Federation. Policy Brief - Call to Action: Promoting Oral Health for Refugees. 10 June 2023. Available at: https://www.fdiworlddental.org/promoting-oral-health-refugees (accessed July 2023).
Crawford L. 'A Place to Call Home: Rescue or Repair'. Br Dent J 2022; 233: 911.
United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Leave No One Behind. Available at: https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind (accessed July 2023).
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Yeung, C. Promoting oral health for refugees. Br Dent J 235, 231 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6243-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6243-5