Improvement of oral health in Africa in the 21st century – the role of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme
Poul Erik Petersen World Health Organization, Oral Health Programme, Geneva, Switzerland

Chronic diseases and injuries are overtaking communicable diseases as the leading health problems in all but a few parts of the world. This rapidly changing global disease pattern is closely linked to changing lifestyles which include diet rich in sugars, widespread use of tobacco and increased consumption of alcohol. These lifestyle factors also significantly impact oral health, and oral diseases qualify as major public health problems owing to their high prevalence and incidence in all regions of the world. Like all diseases, they affect primarily the disadvantaged and socially marginalized populations, causing severe pain and suffering, impairing functionability and impacting quality of life. Traditional treatment of oral diseases is extremely costly even in industrialized countries and is unaffordable in most low and middle-income countries. The WHO Global Strategy for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the ”common risk factor approach” offer new ways of managing the prevention and control of oral diseases. This report outlines major characteristics of the current oral health situation in Africa and development trends as well as WHO strategies and approaches for better oral health in the 21st century.

Key words: Africa, oral health, risk factor, development

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Correspondence: Dr Poul Erik Petersen World Health Organization, Oral Health Programme, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.