Work

Global collaboration for oral health: insights from the 2024 WHO Global Oral Health Meeting

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: Oral health, despite its close association with general health and quality of life, has long been marginalized in national and global health agendas.In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted Resolution WHA74.5 and subsequently developed the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030 (GOHAP) to promote integration of oral health within universal health coverage frameworks.The WHO Global Oral Health Meeting held in Bangkok in November 2024 served as a landmark event, convening member states to discuss strategies for implementing GOHAP and to draft National Oral Health Roadmaps.Methods: This study provides a qualitative policy analysis of the meeting's outcomes, structured around GOHAP's strategic objectives and seven key thematic areas highlighted during the meeting.Drawing on official WHO reports, governmental documents, and field notes from the Korean delegation, the study assesses international and national alignment and examines Korea's level of engagement, institutional readiness, and strategic gaps in implementing WHO's oral health agenda.Results: Findings indicate that while Korea has established a partial foundation in insurance coverage and national surveillance, structural limitations persist in leadership capacity, intersectoral collaboration, public infrastructure, and international policy visibility.The absence of a designated Chief Dental Officer and a strategic national roadmap further hinders alignment with WHO recommendations.Conclusions: This paper concludes by proposing actionable strategies for Korea, including institutionalization of oral health leadership, development of a GOHAP-aligned national roadmap, and enhanced participation in global health governance.The findings underscore the importance of transitioning from fragmented policies to a cohesive, equity-driven public oral health system capable of fulfilling both domestic responsibilities and international commitments.

Source: 대한구강보건학회지

DOI: 10.11149/jkaoh.2026.50.1.47

Author: YoungHa Song

Institution: Seoul National University

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Partnerships for the goals, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Seoul National University