The prevalence of oral disease is huge and is further exacerbated by ageing populations retaining more natural teeth. Global oral health expenditure is sky-high and reflects socio-economic inequality, whereas prevention and self-care are cost-effective and more affordable. Lastly, the body of scientific evidence linking oral and systemic non-communicable diseases is growing. All these factors place oral health at the same level of importance as systemic disease, including its treatment and prevention.
In a world where health and wellbeing are the true wealth, we stand on the precipice of a paradigm shift. If we truly want a healthier and happier society, more money and efforts need to go into preventing oral disease. To an extent, this is already being realised on a policy level, as exemplified by the World Health Organization’s Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023−2030.
But the shift is greater than that. A new generation of well-informed patients has emerged. These patients are more conscious and proactive about their health and wellbeing, including their oral health. They seek out dental providers who emphasise prevention and wellness, which drives the industry towards preventive care. It is important that the oral healthcare system follows these emerging trends.
We believe the oral health revolution can be captured in four key points. These are the four pillars of our Curaden Manifesto for the future of oral health. They are the pillars on which the new practice model of dentistry is being built.
1. Prevention
Prevention is more than just a concept; it is the cornerstone of a healthier society. But its implementation still requires structural changes.
The future dental practice will see a reduction in invasive treatments. Instead, dental professionals will coach patients about oral hygiene, the oral microbiome, diet, and lifestyle choices to prevent disease. Advancements in diagnostic tools and technologies will enable early detection of problems, allowing for proactive interventions.
It has long been proven and widely recognised: prevention works and is effective. Let’s increase its importance in our journey towards health and happiness.
2. Mouth as a gateway to overall health
Dental professionals are recognising that the mouth is a crucial gateway for overall health. Emerging research links oral health to systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory issues. In the light of these findings, dental practices should collaborate more closely with other healthcare providers to offer comprehensive, patient-centred care.
It is time for specialists to work on an interdisciplinary basis and create appropriate services. Let’s expand our competencies as providers by working closely with allies in all areas and at all levels.
3. Health and happiness
A healthy patient is a happier patient, and dental professionals should aim to provide comprehensive care that promotes both physical and emotional wellness. As of today, oral health is a marker of inequality and disparity of wellbeing. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in particular may have limited access to education about oral health and its importance. This lack of knowledge can lead to poor oral hygiene practices, which in turn impact overall health and happiness.
Medical and popular considerations need not and should not be mutually exclusive. Let’s break down the walls between the two worlds without damaging the respective competences. Let’s create a fairer world with access to oral health for all.
4. The chain of self-care
Daily self-care is the foundation of oral health, and an important role of the dental professional must focus on behavioural change: empowering individuals to take control of their own health through simple but effective practices. In doing so, they start with themselves and thus start the chain to self-care.
Through simple but effective practices, the dental professional empowers themselves and everyone else to take control of their own health. A well-informed patient who masters oral care and practices it daily becomes a customer and partner. They will have fewer problems, leading to fewer appointments for restorative procedures, better overall health and a socially sustainable healthcare system.
Read more in Curaden’s new book The Gentle Guide and find out what’s happening at the forefront of prevention
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Let’s treat everyone the way they deserve to be treated: with respect and free access to the knowledge they need to succeed in their daily self-care.
