In 2019, during the WHO STEPS survey in Jordan, I looked for information on oral health. Given the survey’s focus on health issues like blood pressure and diabetes, it felt like a missed opportunity. There was no mention of dental problems like pain or tooth loss. This omission reflects a deeper issue in global health.
As a dentist and health researcher, I’ve studied trends among Syrian refugees and Jordanians. The data highlights alarming behaviors—like high tobacco use and low exercise—yet it largely ignores oral health, an essential part of overall well-being. Despite evidence linking oral health to myriad health outcomes, it remains sidelined in humanitarian efforts.
Take the Global Compact for Migration, a pivotal agreement among over 150 countries to support safe migration. While it emphasizes health access, it oddly omits any mention of dental care. This neglect has real consequences: refugees often suffer untreated tooth decay and gum disease for years. These conditions can lead to serious issues like malnutrition, mental health struggles, and even increased risk of heart disease. Still, oral health is viewed as optional rather than fundamental.
Research shows that many refugees live in areas where dental care is minimal, often limited to emergency tooth extractions. For instance, a 2020 study in Lebanon found that Syrian refugees face overwhelming challenges accessing dental treatment, often due to cost or distance. Even in developed countries like the U.S. or Canada, dental services are hard to get for many, especially for those starting anew.
This neglect is not just a local issue; it’s a global oversight. Policies rarely integrate oral health with general health, making it easy for important services to get lost in bureaucratic cracks. Without explicit mention in international agreements, there’s little incentive for action. When oral health isn’t prioritized, it directly affects overall health and quality of life.
One expert, Dr. Mary Lesher, a public health specialist, emphasizes that “a healthy mouth is critical for a healthy life.” She suggests that failing to address oral health in policy makes it more challenging for communities to thrive.
The consequences of ignoring oral health are severe. For instance, a broken tooth can hinder someone from eating well, leading to malnutrition. Additionally, dental pain can heighten stress and anxiety, especially for those with trauma histories. It’s not just about aesthetics; it fundamentally influences social interactions and community cohesion.
Countries need to take steps to bridge this gap. The Global Compact should explicitly include oral health as a critical component of health services. National health systems can better integrate dental care into their primary services, training healthcare workers to recognize and manage oral health issues.
Finally, more data is crucial. Just as agencies track diseases like hypertension, they should also monitor dental health trends, such as rates of tooth decay and gum disease.
In the current global landscape—filled with climate refugees and political asylum seekers—it’s vital we recognize the complex health needs these populations bring. Ignoring oral health is short-sighted and costly. When we treat oral health as a basic right, we move closer to fostering genuine health equity.
By recognizing teeth as vital organs, we begin to understand that refugees need more than just emergency health aid; they need comprehensive healthcare policies that respect and address all of their health needs.
For further insights, you can explore more on the integration of oral health in global frameworks here.
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global health,Policy,public health
