WHO's action for continuous improvement in oral health.

The worldwide rapidly growing burden of chronic diseases is closely linked to unhealthy environments and to lifestyles that include diets rich in sugars, widespread use of tobacco and excessive consumption of alcohol (1). Most oral diseases are closely related to these factors and are also dependent on clean water, adequate sanitation, proper oral hygiene and appropriate exposure to fluorides (2). Oral disease control and public health need to take integrated approaches to health promotion and disease prevention based on common risk factors. Mandates which are particularly important for WHO and the work of the Oral Health Programme are: Global Strategy on Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (WHA 53); Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (WHA 57); Health Promotion and Healthy Lifestyles (WHA 57); Cancer Prevention and Control (WHA 58); International Plan of Action on Ageing (WHA 58), and Promotion of healthy lifestyles (WHA 58). These World Health Assembly Resolutions provide a supporting framework for Resolutions specific to Oral Health (WHA 42.39). National programmes which include measures at individual, professional and community levels are effective in preventing most oral diseases (3). Worldwide emphasis on health promotion and primary prevention of oral diseases is insufficient and developing countries and those with economies and health systems in transition face considerable challenges to provide universally accessible or affordable intervention and care. WHO has identified priority action areas for countries to consider when initiating or strengthening national oral health programmes: – effective use of fluorides for preven-