According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of all people worldwide suffer from mouth disorders such as decayed teeth, inflamed gums, and oral cancer. A recent study emphasized the stark disparities in access to oral health care, claiming that they have a negative impact on the most marginalized and at-risk populations.
According to WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “many oral disorders can be prevented and treated with cost-effective techniques,” but oral health has “long been overlooked in global health.” According to the UN Office for health, there are over 3.5 billion people worldwide who are dealing with oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease.
The survey, the first thorough analysis of the issue in 194 nations, discovered that there had been one billion more cases worldwide in the last 30 years. That, according to the WHO, is “strong evidence that many people lack access to oral disease prevention and treatment.” Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, severe gum disease, tooth loss, and oral malignancies are the most prevalent disorders.
The most prevalent ailment, untreated dental caries, affects about 2.5 billion individuals worldwide. Around one billion people are thought to be affected by severe gum disease, which is a significant factor in total tooth loss. Additionally, according to the WHO, 380,000 new cases of oral cancer are detected each year.
– Glaring inequities –
According to the study, 75 percent of people with oral disorders reside in low- and middle-income nations.
Additionally, it was noted that oral disorders affect a disproportionate number of low-income individuals, the disabled, elderly individuals living alone or in nursing homes, residents of isolated and rural places, and members of minority groups worldwide.
According to WHO, the same trends are also present in other non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. High sugar intake, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption are also risk factors.
The research released on Thursday highlighted obstacles to providing proper oral health services, such as the high out-of-pocket costs associated with frequent dental appointments.
According to WHO, this may result in “catastrophic costs and considerable financial burden for families and communities.”
These services are also out of reach for many due to reliance on highly specialized providers and sophisticated machinery. Additionally, many people wait much too long before seeking or obtaining therapy due to inadequate information and surveillance. The WHO offered a comprehensive range of recommendations to deal with the issue, including urging nations to integrate oral health services into their primary healthcare systems.
