A new report highlighted glaring inequities in access to oral health services, saying it badly affected the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, insisting that “many oral diseases can be prevented and treated with the cost-effective measures.”found that 45% of the global population, or around 3.5 billion people, are battling tooth decay, gum disease and other oral illnesses.
The most common diseases are dental caries, or tooth decay, severe gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers.Untreated dental caries is the single most common condition, affecting some 2.5 billion people around the world. And in all countries, people on low incomes, the disabled, older people living alone or in care homes, those living in remote and rural communities, or minority groups carry a higher burden of oral diseases, it said.
The report highlighted barriers to delivering adequate oral health services, including dentist visits, which often require high out-of pocket expenses.