Zero Draft political declaration of 4th UN high-level meeting released: time to put the mouth back into the body

In 2019 oral diseases impacted over 3.6 billion people worldwide, which is more than diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and mental disorders added together. The direct treatment costs alone for treating severe gum diseases (severe periodontitis), tooth decay (dental caries) and severe tooth loss are estimated at $357 billion, almost 5% of global health care spend. The human cost is also substantial, with more years lived with disability from oral diseases than any other Level 3 human disease in 2021. The most prevalent oral diseases, caries and periodontitis are non-communicable diseases (NCD), responsible for the majority of tooth loss and there is clear evidence that having periodontal disease negatively impacts upon:

• Risk from premature mortality
• Speech
• Nutrition
• Daily functions and activities
• Self-confidence
• Social and mental wellbeing
• Risk of complications of systemic NCD (diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
• Quality of life

Given the powerful nature of the above statistics, the recognition by the broader medical community that periodontitis is a proven risk factor for major systemic NCDs and for premature mortality, it is deeply concerning that oral diseases are not mentioned in the Zero Draft political declaration on non-communicable diseases.

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) supports the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe and collaborates as a board member of the platform to promote improved health literacy, reduce the health inequalities in society that manifest via oral diseases and conditions, promote better oral health for general health and longevity, and to champion and socialise the World Health Organisation's Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral health (2023–2030).

In line with the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe, the EFP:

• Champions the inclusion of oral health in the final Political Declaration at the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, and in doing so signals a long-term commitment to a comprehensive approach to NCDs working towards the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

• Encourages all member states to support and deliver on the 2024 Bangkok Declarationof the WHO “no health without oral health” and to integrate oral health into all relevant public health frameworks and policies.

Oral diseases are preventable, and economic analyses show that adopting preventative approaches for periodontal diseases which strongly focus on professionally taught self-care can save billions of Euros in Europe every decade. Moreover, given the strong relationship between the worst levels of oral diseases and the poorest communities, a levelling-up strategy in preventive care can narrow the gap in care access. By improving oral health outcomes in the poorest of society to those of the wealthiest, significant reductions in cost can be achieved.

Therefore, the EFP calls upon the EU and its member states to stand with the WHO in its efforts to recognise the impact of oral diseases on society and humankind; to include oral diseases as chronic conditions that impact society at multiple levels and to require greater attention and reference within the final political declaration of 4th UN high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.

ENDS

About the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP)

The EFP is a global non-profit organisation with a European core, that promotes periodontal science and awareness of gum health among oral health professionals, other medical professionals, policy makers and the public. Founded in 1991, the EFP brings together 43 national societies, representing more than 18,000 oral health professionals and researchers from six continents.