The vision of the Advancing Oral Health profile is to be a recognized leader in oral health research and conduct innovative, excellent, and integrated interdisciplinary research and education in collaboration with the surrounding society.

Oral health is a multi-faceted concept and includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex (head, face, and oral cavity).

Worl Dental Federation 2022

Poor oral health leads not only to reduced quality of life and work productivity but is also associated with increased risks for a range of significant systemic disorders. In addition to the suffering of individual patients and the global disease burden, the economic burden on society is enormous. The direct and indirect annual costs associated with oral health problems worldwide are estimated at US $545 billion, a staggering sum comparable to the two most expensive systemic conditions, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, combined.

The Advancing Oral Health profile aims to improve the provision of oral healthcare to individual patients, based on environmental, socio-economic, psychological, and biological factors. With an open and creative research environment, we can evaluate treatment efficacy and effectiveness to predict disease and treatment outcomes better and develop new strategies, while incorporating a health economic perspective.

The profile’s objectives are to improve four translational interlinked dimensions of oral healthcare:

  • Oral health, general health and well-being as supported by precision in oral healthcare.
  • Sustainable health as linked to the lifelong retention of teeth and oral function.
  • Health equity in our society by ensuring inclusive access to and provision of oral healthcare.
  • eHealth implementation as the basis for cost-effective and targeted oral healthcare.

Background

In May 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a historic resolution (WHA74.5) on the urgent need for improvement of oral health worldwide. The resolution was reinforced by the 2022 recognition that “oral health is a key indicator of overall health, wellbeing and quality of life” (WHO 2022). The World Dental Federation (FDI) has also emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to oral healthcare in which multiple dimensions are accommodated.

Total hits: 24

Contact