Improving Oral Health in the Americas

Improving Oral Health in the AmericasOral health continues to be a critical aspect of general health conditions in the Latin American and Caribbean region (LACR) because of its weight in the global burden of disease, its associated treatment costs, and the potential for effective prevention. Data from national oral health surveys in LACR indicates a marked 35-85% decline in the prevalence of dental caries since the early 1990s. These improvements may largely be attributed to national preventive programs including water and salt fluoridation, greater awareness of proper oral hygiene and better oral health care practices. While this is an impressive decline in dental caries, the burden of oral disease in the Americas is severe and remains high as compared with other regions in the world. Poor and inequitable health care, the changing pattern of oral disease, increased cost and less investment in dental public health programs are prominent signs of the ongoing health crisis in the Americas. In 2005, the Pan American Health Organization developed a new 10-year strategy and plan of action to promote oral health throughout LACR.  The strategy is based on the driving principles of public health, which are disease prevention, health promotion, and disease surveillance. Each element of the strategy is grounded in best practice training and dissemination of best practice models, partnerships, upstream investment, and measurement of progress along time and scale. In accordance with the United Nations’ Development Agenda, the strategy also supports the three health-related Millennium Development Goals, developed in the year 2000. The strategy also facilitates technical cooperation between and among public and private stakeholders, integrating appropriate technologies and scaling-up of proven interventions.  The ultimate goal of the strategy is to reduce the burden of disease from various oral health conditions by the year 2015. The targets can be accomplished by an integrated health system that combines oral health with general health services. Finally, the strategy recognizes that a common oral health agenda requires strong partnerships between the private and public dental health community.