FDI announces new global definition of ‘oral health’

Published: 7-Sep-2016

Oral health is increasingly recognised as having an impact on overall health both physically and mentally

The FDI World Dental Foundation has announced a new definition of what oral health means today.

The organisation hopes that the new definition, coined by its Vision 2020 Think Tank members, will help raise awareness of the different dimensions of oral health.

Oral health is increasingly recognised as having an impact on overall health both physically and mentally.

The new FDI definition states that oral health: is multi-faceted and includes, but is not limited to, the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and free from pain or discomfort, and disease of the craniofacial complex.

We are proposing a contemporary definition of oral health, which resonates with that used by many NDAs and the World Health Organization. It is therefore not a revolution, but an evolution.

Professor David Williams, Co-Chair of FDI's Vision 2020 Think Tank

In addition, the definition includes that oral health: is a fundamental part of health and physical and mental wellbeing, which exists along a continuum influenced by the values and attitudes of individuals and communities.

It is also said to reflect the physiological, social and psychological attributes that are essential to the quality of life and be influenced by the individual’s changing experience, perceptions and expectations.

Professor David Williams, Co-Chair of FDI's Vision 2020 Think Tank, said: “With this new definition, we want to raise awareness of the different dimensions of oral health and emphasize that oral health does not occur in isolation, but is embedded in the wider framework of overall health.

“We are proposing a contemporary definition of oral health, which resonates with that used by many NDAs and the World Health Organization. It is therefore not a revolution, but an evolution.”

The FDI now plans to promote the new definition in order to create a standard measurement instrument that can be used globally by professionals to assess individuals and population needs to drive oral health policies. It is hoped this measurement ‘toolbox’ will be ready by 2017.

FDI World Dental Federation is a federation of approximately 200 national dental associations and specialist groups.

You may also like