Political priority of global oral health: an analysis of reasons for international neglect

Abstract

Global Oral Health suffers from a lack of political attention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper analyses the reasons for this political neglect through the lens of four areas of political power: the power of the ideas, the power of the issue, the power of the actors, and the power of the political context (using a modified Political Power Framework by Shiffman and Smith. Lancet370 [2007] 1370). The analysis reveals that political priority for global oral health is low, resulting from a set of complex issues deeply rooted in the current global oral health sector, its stakeholders and their remit, the lack of coherence and coalescence; as well as the lack of agreement on the problem, its portrayal and possible solutions. The shortcomings and weaknesses demonstrated in the analysis range from rather basic matters, such as defining the issue in an agreed way, to complex and multi-levelled issues concerning appropriate data collection and agreement on adequate solutions. The political priority of Global Oral Health can only be improved by addressing the underlying reasons that resulted in the wide disconnection between the international health discourse and the small sector of Global Oral Health. We hope that this analysis may serve as a starting point for a long overdue, broad and candid international analysis of political, social, cultural, communication, financial and other factors related to better prioritisation of oral health. Without such an analysis and the resulting concerted action the inequities in Global Oral Health will grow and increasingly impact on health systems, development and, most importantly, human lives.

Self-reported Oral Health Behaviour among Scandinavian and Polish Medical Students Studying in Poland

“…However, it seems to be limited to the proper exposure of problems concerning oral health. Generally dental issues are left to be dealt with solely by oral health experts (7). Loster and Likeman (8) believe that a basic knowledge of dentistry in medical students enables better communication between medical professionals and dentists.…”

The Italian Dental Sector in a Period of Economic Crisis

“…On the one hand, this is owing to the lack of reliable oral health monitoring systems in many countries; on the other, as suggested by Benzian et al [9], it is due to international political neglect concerning oral health issues. According to the authors, this neglect is documented by a number of factors such as the exclusion of oral health from the framework of most Primary Health Care systems, the disinterest in the analysis of health policies for oral health and the lack of attention to the latter in the context of emerging patterns of social health insurance.…”

Mondzorgvrijwilligerswerk in ontwikkelingslanden 1. Meer dan liefdadigheid.

“…Ondervoeding, gebrek aan drinkwater en sanitaire voorzieningen en slechte scholing zijn de zichtbare determinanten, maar daarachter gaan de 'oorzaken van de oorzaken' schuil: oneerlijke verdeling van de economische middelen, armzalige politiek en slecht bestuur (World Health Organization, 2008). Wereldwijd bestaat gebrek aan politieke belangstelling voor mondgezondheid en dat is mede het gevolg van het onvermogen van de mondiale mondzorgberoepsgroep een duidelijke agenda op te stellen met voorstellen die de problemen effectief kunnen aanpakken (Benzian et al, 2011). Van alle mondziekten veroorzaakt cariës wereldwijd verreweg de meeste last in termen van per persoon verminderde levenskwaliteit.…”