GOOD oral health is having the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions.
With confidence and without pain and discomfort.
Oral health means a healthy mouth free from diseases of the craniofacial complex (head, face, and oral cavity) irrespective of age. Oral health is vital to general health and well-being.
In oral health, the main oral conditions contributing to the highest disease burden include caries or tooth decay in primary teeth and permanent teeth, complete tooth loss, severe gum (periodontal) disease, and various disorders affecting the teeth, tongue, and oral structures.
However, many other conditions also require oral healthcare. These include:
• Lip and oral cavity cancer.
• Oral manifestations of systemic diseases (metabolic, allergic and immunologic diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection).
• Oral mucosal diseases.
• Erosion and tooth wear (abrasion).
• Oral impacts of substance abuse, bulimia or anorexia nervosa.
• Congenital malformations of tooth structure.
• Oral viral, fungal, and bacterial infections.
• Trauma (including physical and chemical injuries) of the teeth, jawbones, and adjacent maxillofacial structures.
• Cysts and tumors of odontogenic and bone origin.
• Salivary gland diseases.
• Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).
• Cleft lip and palate and other disturbances in the development and growth of oral structures.
These diseases and conditions are often underrepresented in the most widely cited global estimates of the oral disease burden and their associated economic impact.
And yet, oral diseases account for more years lost to disability than any other medical condition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Oral diseases affect people of all ages and cause the loss of productivity, pain, disfigurement, severe illnesses, and, in some cases, death. As it is, oral diseases are on the increase in all regions of the world
Health systems worldwide are already struggling to meet oral healthcare needs as cases increase dramatically. In fact, billions of people are living with unmet needs.
In rich countries, the advancements in dental care have led to improved methods to ensure oral health. However, entire populations, especially the poor, have not benefited. Individuals and households with low income still suffer a significantly higher burden of disease.
If this is true in high-income nations, it is certainly the case in poor countries where oral diseases affect economic well-being significantly.
The presence or absence of oral health has significant economic impact. The economic burden imposed by oral diseases, is estimated at $710 billion, according to the WHO. Treating just five of the main oral diseases cost $387 billion. Indirect costs such as productivity losses due to poor oral health amount to $323 billion.
The figures come from 2019 statistics; they could be higher now if no improvements have been made – as they certainly may be the case.
In the WHO Region of the Americas, only 38.4 percent of the population are entitled to essential oral healthcare services. In the WHO Europe Region, the figure is 36.5 percent.
Consequently, according to the WHO, oral conditions contribute significantly to the burden of unmet healthcare needs.
A study assessing common trends and challenges in financing, access, coverage and provision of oral healthcare in 31 European countries found that dental care is the most frequently forgone or unmet healthcare need due to financial reasons.
Similarly, in the United States of America, the population reports much more difficulty in affording dental care services compared to any other type of healthcare service. That is, access to oral health is more difficult than access to general medical care, hospital care and even to prescription drugs.
Across countries grouped by the World Bank as low-income, only 10 percent of the population are entitled to these services. Globally, only 23 percent of the global population is entitled to essential oral healthcare services.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
