Revised WHO Action Plan reflects FDI-led focus on oral health

The FDI World Dental Federation (FDI), of which the ADA is an active member, is pleased that the revised version of WHO’s draft Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023 – 2030) “proposes a more prominent leadership role for oral health professionals, including in national oral health policy development and implementation.”

This increased focus on oral health prevention, workforce capabilities and research follows extensive consultation by FDI with a range of stakeholders, including its members, Council, Committees, Task Teams, partners, and other organisations, and the formulation of a comprehensive and consolidated response to WHO, with many of the suggestions made by world dentistry's peak body being incorporated into the revised Action Plan.

The draft Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023 – 2030) now aligns FDI's roadmap – Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal Oral Health for All with a clear and welcome focus on “leaving no one behind", particularly those in low-and-middle-income countries who will have support prioritised for them.

Additionally, FDI notes that the Draft Plan “calls on governments to ensure ‘80% of the global population is entitled to essential oral health care services’ to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for oral health by 2030, amendments which are aligned with FDI’s Vision 2030 and several recommendations proposed in its submission.”

FDI has committed to continuing to "timely and continuous reporting to the World Health Assembly on oral health [which] will provide opportunities to identify and address persistent gaps, share best-practices, and maintain the current momentum”, a strategy of ongoing engagement which included participation at the recently staged EB152 held by WHO where FDI contributed to discussions on noncommunicable diseases, Universal Health Coverage, social determinants of health, and infection prevention and control. 

For more on this story, go to "Exciting news: FDI’s response to WHO’s draft global oral health action plan makes an impact"