UN Declaration marks global milestone for oral health

The global dental community is celebrating a significant milestone following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Political Declaration of the Fourth High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being (HLM4).

For the first time, oral health has been explicitly recognised within a UN High-level Meeting Declaration. This decision marks a breakthrough that positions oral diseases alongside other major NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, with a strong focus on prevention and equity.

Oral health recognised in global health policy

The Declaration acknowledges the global burden of oral conditions and their shared risk factors with other NCDs, including tobacco use, high sugar intake and poor nutrition. It calls for the scale-up of essential oral healthcare and its inclusion within universal health coverage.

FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) President, Asst. Prof. Dr Nikolai Sharkov, described the adoption as “a defining moment for global oral health” noting that it affirms the need to fully integrate oral health within national NCD strategies.

FDI’s leadership and Australia’s role

FDI played a pivotal role in achieving this outcome through more than a decade of sustained global advocacy, policy engagement, and coalition-building with civil society, governments, and international partners. The Federation coordinated technical input, spearheaded messaging on the shared risk factors between oral health and other NCDs, and ensured oral health remained on the UN agenda despite political obstacles. Its effectiveness demonstrates the impact of a unified global voice on behalf of dentistry.

As an active member of FDI, the ADA contributes to these global efforts by supporting advocacy for integrated, preventive oral health policies and by reinforcing Australia’s presence in international decision-making forums. Australia’s vote in favour of the Political Declaration further reinforces its commitment to elevating oral health within the broader NCD response and aligning with global health leadership.

Strengthening prevention, policy and access

The Declaration reinforces the importance of prevention and equity in health systems. It also outlines new targets to be achieved by 2030, such as 150 million fewer tobacco users, 150 million more people with controlled hypertension, and 150 million more with access to mental healthcare.

These commitments recognise that improving oral health cannot occur in isolation but rather within an integrated, multisectoral health system. For clinicians, the policy emphasis on shared risk factors aligns with prevention-oriented strategies within Australian dental practice and public health programs.

Implications for Australian dentistry

For Australian dentists, this development highlights the importance of continuing advocacy and collaboration to ensure oral health remains a national priority within the broader NCD and health coverage agenda.

Although some elements of the Declaration were softened during negotiations, its overall message is clear: oral health is integral to general health and sustainable development. We expect to continue working with Australian governments to help translate these commitments into measurable national strategies ahead of the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

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