ORAL health must be integrated into the general health agenda.
This is because oral diseases do not occur in isolation, according to a new report from the FDI World Dental Federation.
The report, “Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal Oral Health for All,” observed that oral diseases commonly cluster with other non-communicable diseases, for example, cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes.
It was oral health and tooth decay dental caries that ultimately provided the evidence that underpinned the World Health Organization recommendation on sugar consumption.
Tobacco smoking is a highly prevalent non-communicable disease. Because of its specific implication in oral cancer and gum disease, the oral healthcare team has a key role in promoting tobacco cessation programs.
It is now apparent that oral symptoms – such as ulcers, white patches, red patches, swellings, abnormal pigmentation, oral pain, loss of sensation, abnormal orofacial movement, halitosis, and dry mouth – may be early manifestations of chronic diseases in other organs.
In this context, it is important to acknowledge the relationship between gum disease and type two diabetes. And the relationship between oral disease and cardiovascular disease, and to recognize the significance of oral diseases as an “early warning” of other systemic diseases.
It is clear now that oral health professionals have a role in the early detection of systemic disease.
There is a strong case for oral health professionals to work with their medical colleagues in screening and early detection of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Evidence is also growing that better control of oral disease may improve systemic disease outcomes. Thus, all health professionals need to be aware of the contribution that good oral health makes to general health and the need for closer integration and cooperation between all health professionals.
The dental profession has unique access to the “healthy” population, thus, has an essential health surveillance role.
This is an important justification for regular dental check-ups; the more successful the dental profession is, in reaching everyone, especially the disadvantaged and marginalized, the more effective this health surveillance role will be.
The prevalence of all non-communicable diseases, including oral diseases, tends to increase in life.
Severe oral disease in childhood, particularly early childhood tooth decay, is a predictor of poor health outcomes later in life.
It indicates a predisposition to the development of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease.
Early detection within this particularly at-risk group and appropriate health interventions can reduce mortality and diseases later in life to improve health outcomes in general./PN
