The Rationale for Global-Actions-for-Oral-Health under the perspective of the FDI-World-Dental-Federation

The FDI World Dental Federation represents approximately 200 national dental associations and specialist groups. Our vision is leading the world to optimal oral health, acknowledging oral health is a fundamental part of general health and well being. Our vision is brought to life through being the global voice for oral health, and delivering excellence in oral health policy and promotion; continuing professional education; and access to care. We recognize that the burden of oral diseases and its impact on health continues to present a major global public health challenge

Key areas and questions are:

o reducing prevalence of oral diseases globally, which despite significant efforts in many communities, remains a major burden due to its contribution to total morbidity and impact on health systems

o How to bridge the gap between current scientific knowledge of dental caries and caries management in clinical dental practice?

o prevention as the foundation for oral health policy, which supports an evidence based whole-population approach with implementation at a community level

o advocacy for health promotion and the use of fluorides

o health workforce education issues and their influence on the delivery of, and access to, primary dental care services

o the use and availability of restorative materials, particularly those which support the concept of ‘minimum intervention', and those which may influence the carious process

Wide consultation and multi-stakeholder collaboration will be required to develop any new paradigm for managing oral diseases, one which would need to be based on our current knowledge of each disease process, so as to deliver optimal general health and well being to all communities. The FDI aims to bring together leaders and experts of the international dental community to explore solutions in order to meet the challenge of the burden of dental diseases and to improve the quality of life for communities around the world.