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A coalition of 17 various organizations wanted the US delegation at the United Nations General Assembly to stress the importance of oral health. The president of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete also wants to make sure dental health comes to the forefront.
To make their point, this US dental coalition sent a letter with the hope that changes will be made regarding the policies of prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. The result will be that dental problems would become more of a priority to be taken care of as opposed to being less important compared to some other diseases.
As of now, dental diseases are not viewed the same as some other noncommunicable diseases even though some of the common risk factors are the same.
The reason for proposing these changes is because oral diseases also are a major aspect of the international disease problem.
The groups that endorsed the letter included the Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for Dental Research, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Association of Women Dentists, American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, American Student Dental Association, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, Dental Trade Alliance, Hispanic Dental Association, International Association for Dental Research, Operation Smile and Special Care Dentistry Association.
If the UN makes these changes, it may reduce the number of people who have other diseases since good oral health leads to good overall health.
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