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Cited by 156Dental Health and Care UtilizationGlobal Public Health Policies and EpidemiologyPublic Health Policies and Education

Political priority of global oral health: an analysis of reasons for international neglect

Open access
Benzian, Habib, Hobdell, Martin, Holmgren, Christopher, Yee, Robert, Monse, Bella, Barnard, Johannes T., van Palenstein Helderman, Wim·2011·International Dental Journal
DOI 10.1111/j.1875-595x.2011.00028.xPMC PMC9374826
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Abstract

Global Oral Health suffers from a lack of political attention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper analyses the reasons for this political neglect through the lens of four areas of political power: the power of the ideas, the power of the issue, the power of the actors, and the power of the political context (using a modified Political Power Framework by Shiffman and Smith. Lancet370 [2007] 1370). The analysis reveals that political priority for global oral health is low, resulting from a set of complex issues deeply rooted in the current global oral health sector, its stakeholders and their remit, the lack of coherence and coalescence; as well as the lack of agreement on the problem, its portrayal and possible solutions. The shortcomings and weaknesses demonstrated in the analysis range from rather basic matters, such as defining the issue in an agreed way, to complex and multi-levelled issues concerning appropriate data collection and agreement on adequate solutions. The political priority of Global Oral Health can only be improved by addressing the underlying reasons that resulted in the wide disconnection between the international health discourse and the small sector of Global Oral Health. We hope that this analysis may serve as a starting point for a long overdue, broad and candid international analysis of political, social, cultural, communication, financial and other factors related to better prioritisation of oral health. Without such an analysis and the resulting concerted action the inequities in Global Oral Health will grow and increasingly impact on health systems, development and, most importantly, human lives.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1875-595x.2011.00028.x

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  • Oral diseases are a neglected topic, rarely seen as a priority in health policy.

    “Oral diseases are however a neglected topic, rarely seen as a priority in health policy.7”

    From Oral diseases: a global public health challenge (2019) · cites this paper as [7]

  • Data from Mexico show a reduction in levels of overweight associated with pricing policies on SSBs.

    “Data from Mexico highlight that pricing policies on SSBs have an effect on reducing sales and consumption, and a reduction in levels of overweight.104,105”

    From Ending the neglect of global oral health: time for radical action. (2019) · cites this paper as [104]

    The section ‘The power of the issue—why care for global oral health?’ discusses oral-health interventions, but not Mexican data on SSB pricing. Searches of our copy for Mexico, overweight, and SSB taxes found no passage addressing reduced overweight associated with those policies. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Data from Mexico show that pricing policies on SSBs have an effect on reducing sales and consumption.

    “Data from Mexico highlight that pricing policies on SSBs have an effect on reducing sales and consumption, and a reduction in levels of overweight.104,105”

    From Ending the neglect of global oral health: time for radical action. (2019) · cites this paper as [104]

    The section “The power of the issue—why care for global oral health?” discusses fluoride-based prevention and oral-care interventions, not SSB pricing. Searches for Mexico and for sugar-sweetened beverage pricing found no passage in our copy addressing reduced sales or consumption; page numbers were not available. (LLM, conf=0.77)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [18]18. Ministry of Health, Population Health and Wellness. Evidence Review: Dental Public Health. Vancouver: British Columbia Ministry of Health; 2006.

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Authors
Benzian, H., Hobdell, M., Holmgren, C., Yee, R., Monse, B., Barnard, J. T., & van Palenstein Helderman, W.
Affiliations
  • University College London (GB)
  • Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
  • National University of Singapore (SG)
  • Department of Education (PH)
Corresponding author
Benzian, Habib
ORCID
Benzian, Habib
Venue
International Dental Journal
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-06
Volume
61
Issue
3
Pages
124-130
ISSN
0020-6539 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1111/j.1875-595x.2011.00028.x
PMC
PMC9374826
OpenAlex
W2167098849
Cited by
156
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 6
FWCI
7.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Dental Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • National University of Singapore (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Public Health Policies and Education
Keywords
global oral health, political priorities, international health policy, low- and middle-income countries, oral health inequities
MeSH terms
Government Programs, Health Policy, Health Priorities, Humans, Oral Health, Politics

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