Representatives from over 110 countries have gathered for the inaugural Global Oral Health Conference, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), with the goal of achieving universal access to oral health services by 2030. A key outcome of the conference will likely be a declaration on oral health, which will include national action plans and a call for the swift implementation of the WHO’s Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health for 2023-2030.
Oral diseases, the most prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), affect nearly 3.5 billion people globally. Despite this, oral health is often addressed narrowly as dental care, while conditions such as dental caries, gum disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, and noma impact not only the mouth but also critical structures of the face involved in eating, breathing, and speaking. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of oral health, stating, “Oral health is integral to general health,” and highlighted the ongoing lack of access to services aimed at protecting and promoting oral health.
The conference, hosted by the Government of Thailand, will also serve as a preparatory event for the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2025. Among its objectives are accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), reaffirming political commitments from Member States, and advancing the implementation of the WHO’s Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health.
Thailand’s Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, reiterated the country’s commitment to improving access to oral health services, stating, “Oral health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, and Thailand is privileged to host this significant event. We are committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to quality oral health services and to promoting preventive care, in line with our overall objective of improving health outcomes for all.”
Global Oral Health
A key outcome of the conference will be the Bangkok Declaration on Oral Health, which will be submitted to the WHO Director-General as input for the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting. The declaration emphasizes that oral health is a human right and advocates for its inclusion in primary health care and UHC packages, ensuring access to affordable oral health care. Additionally, the conference will announce the creation of a global coalition on oral health, aimed at fostering partnerships to strengthen global oral health initiatives. The event will bring together WHO Member States, UN agencies, international organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders to support the promotion of oral health and NCD-related activities worldwide.
