No Universal Health Without Oral Health

Oral health is a fundamental yet often neglected component of general health and well-being. Globally, the annual direct cost of treating oral diseases is estimated at 357 billion dollars, comparable to spending on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Despite strong evidence linking oral diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), systemic inflammation, and reduced quality of life, oral health remains insufficiently integrated into universal health coverage (UHC), public health policies, and prevention strategies. Bridging this gap is essential for achieving equitable andsustainable health systems.

Since the release of the Lancet Series on Oral Health in 2019, global efforts to elevate Oral Health have gained significant momentum. The WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan 2030, the inaugural WHO Global Meeting on Oral Health, and the 2024 Bangkok Declaration, which aligns with the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, underscores the need for oral health integration within the broader global health agenda. The implementation of the Action Plan highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, technological advancements, and preventive care strategies that can transform health systems and address the stark inequities in oral health.

This 90-minute session, proposed within the WHS Academic Alliance Track, will present the work of the Oral Health and General Health Working Group, launched in January 2026 and coordinated by Sapienza University of Rome. The group includes over 30 international experts from 12 WHS Academic Alliance member institutions.

The session will explore oral health across the life course, emphasizing integration into NCD prevention and management, patient-centered outcomes, and innovative approaches such as noninvasive diagnostics, including salivary biomarkers, while addressing global inequalities and scalable solutions.