WHO Strategy 2023-2030: how global experts plan to solve the worldwide – ZENT Care

Imagine there is a health problem affecting as many as 3.5 billion people worldwide, nearly half of the global population. Sounds like a pandemic? Unfortunately, it can be called that, because oral diseases have been recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the biggest public health challenges of our time.

In 2023, WHO published a groundbreaking document: “Global Strategy and Action Plan for Oral Health 2023-2030.” It is the most comprehensive approach to oral health in WHO’s history. Why is this so important for you and your family? Let’s take a closer look.

Facts that surprise: the scale of the problem is bigger than you think

Oral diseases, a silent global crisis

Cavities, gum diseases, and tooth loss may seem like minor issues compared to heart disease or cancer. Nothing could be further from the truth! According to WHO data, a total of 45% of the global population suffers from at least one major oral disease – dental caries, periodontitis, or complete tooth loss. This means that nearly half of the world's population struggles with these problems, and this rate is higher than for any other non-communicable disease [1].

What does this mean in practice?

Untreated dental caries in permanent teeth affects 2.3 billion people.
Over 530 million children suffer from untreated dental caries in their primary teeth.
Gum diseases affect hundreds of millions of people, leading to tooth loss.
Oral cancers cause about 180,000 deaths annually and are the sixteenth most common type of cancer worldwide.

A woman shows a patient a scan of their teeth on a monitor

The impact of oral diseases on daily life – more than just a toothache

Oral health problems are not just physical discomfort. Their consequences go much further:

concentration problems – it's hard to focus on work or study when dental problems bother you,
absence from school and work – oral diseases are one of the causes of absenteeism,
social isolation – dental problems affect self-esteem and reluctance to engage in social interactions,
limited nutritional possibilities – healthy teeth are essential for proper eating.

“Oral health is essential for eating, breathing, and speaking; it affects overall health and the ability to fully participate in social life," states the WHO report.

Huge costs resulting from the treatment of oral diseases

Oral diseases also represent a huge financial burden. Global spending on dental treatment is about 387 billion dollars annually, or approximately 1.5 trillion zlotys [2] – an amount sufficient to:

to finance the construction of 150 modern hospitals,
to provide basic healthcare for 1.5 billion people in developing countries,
to purchase toothbrushes and toothpaste for every person on Earth for 10 years.

A dentist shows a man on a dental model with a toothbrush how to clean a denture

The worst part is that most of these costs could be avoided through proper prevention and early treatment, which are many times cheaper than treating advanced conditions.

The surprising connection between oral health and overall body health

More and more research confirms that the condition of the oral cavity directly affects the health of the entire body [3]. Poor oral hygiene has scientifically proven connections with:

cardiovascular diseases – bacteria from the oral cavity can enter the bloodstream and contribute to the development of heart diseases [4],
diabetes – there is a link between periodontal diseases and diabetes [5],
cancers – some oral infections increase the risk of certain cancers [6],
pneumonia – bacteria from the oral cavity can be inhaled into the lungs with air and cause infections. This is especially common in older adults due to weakened swallowing reflex, reduced immunity, and more frequent oral hygiene problems [7],
premature birth – periodontal diseases in pregnant women are associated with a higher risk of complications [8].

A new approach to dental health

WHO calls for an urgent change in thinking about oral health – instead of focusing mainly on treatment, we should primarily emphasize prevention.

In the case of Poland, this means expanding the range of preventive services available through the NFZ. Family doctors should regularly check patients’ oral health and refer them to a dentist in a timely manner. The main goal is for dental prevention to be an integral part of overall healthcare.

“Most oral diseases are largely preventable and can be treated using simple, non-invasive procedures at the primary healthcare level,” the WHO report highlights.

What really harms your teeth?

WHO emphasizes that there are common risk factors linking oral problems with heart disease, cancers, type 2 diabetes, and chronic lung diseases, which are:

tobacco smoking – harms not only the lungs but also the gums and teeth, leading to periodontal disease and increasing the risk of oral cancers,
excessive alcohol consumption – besides damaging the liver and brain, alcohol dries out the mouth, promotes bacterial growth, and increases the risk of oral cancers,
a diet high in sugars – not only the main cause of tooth decay but also a risk factor for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease,
unhealthy eating habits – including the too early introduction of sugary drinks and bottle-feeding with sweet liquids, which can lead to both early childhood caries and the development of unhealthy eating habits for life.

Oral health inequalities – who suffers the most?

Oral diseases disproportionately affect poor, vulnerable, and/or marginalized people, including:

low-income individuals,
people with disabilities,
older adults living alone or in care homes,
refugees,
people incarcerated in prisons,
residents of remote and rural communities,
people from minority and/or other marginalized social groups.

There is a strong and consistent link between socio-economic status and the occurrence and severity of oral diseases. This means that these issues are not solely a matter of individual choices but have deep social and economic roots.

Dentist treating a man’s teeth in a dental office chair

The WHO global strategy for 2023-2030 is the first step towards a revolution in oral health care. Instead of focusing on treating consequences, global experts propose systemic solutions aimed at prevention and access to basic dental care for all.

In the second part of the article, we will look at specific innovations and technological solutions that fit into this strategy. We will show how modern products, such as advanced ZENT® Dental Care electric toothbrushes, water irrigators, and UV disinfection systems respond to global challenges in oral health. You will also learn what steps you can take today to ensure the health of your teeth for many years.

NOTES:

Global oral health status report: towards universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.
Righolt AJ, Jevdjevic M, Marcenes W, Listl S. Global-, Regional-, and Country-Level Economic Impacts of Dental Diseases in 2015. J Dent Res. 2018;97(5):501-507.
Fiorillo L. Oral Health: The First Step to Well-Being. Medicina. 2019;55(10):676.
Vanwormer JJ, et al. Oral hygiene, quality of life, and risk of heart failure. Frontiers in Oral Health. 2025.
Chang Y, et al. Improved oral hygiene is associated with decreased risk of new-onset diabetes: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Diabetologia. 2020;87.
Deng Q, et al. A composite oral hygiene score and the risk of oral cancer and its subtypes: a large-scale propensity score-based study. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2021.
Ali K. Association Between Poor Oral Hygiene and Respiratory Infections in Elderly Populations: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research. 2025.
Uwambaye P, et al. Assessing the association between periodontitis and premature birth: a case-control study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2020;24.