GENEVA: More than a decade of patient-reported data collected from over 10,000 people across 12 countries is providing an unprecedented picture of the global burden of oral disease and helping shape evidence-based oral health policies worldwide, according to a new report released by the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI).
The report, "Ten Years of Oral Health Observatory Data: Evidence, Impact and the Road Ahead," highlights how FDI's Oral Health Observatory (OHO) programme has generated standardized, practice-based data since its launch in 2014, giving policymakers, researchers and national dental associations valuable insights into oral health status, patient experiences and the real-world impact of oral diseases.
Unlike traditional national oral health surveys that primarily focus on disease prevalence, the OHO combines clinical information with patient-reported outcomes, offering a broader understanding of how oral health affects people's daily lives, wellbeing and access to care.
According to the report, patients across participating countries frequently reported oral pain, difficulty eating, disrupted sleep, reduced quality of life and missed work because of oral health problems, highlighting that oral diseases extend far beyond the mouth and carry significant social and economic consequences.
The programme has also helped identify barriers to accessing dental care and unmet treatment needs, enabling national dental associations to strengthen advocacy and support evidence-based policy discussions on prevention, oral health literacy, workforce development, access to care and health system reforms.
FDI President Asst. Prof. Dr Nikolai Sharkov said the Oral Health Observatory was established to address a major gap in reliable oral health data.
"Over the past 10 years, the programme has shown that practice-based, patient-centred evidence can help National Dental Associations, health systems and policymakers better understand population needs, identify priorities and drive much-needed improvements in oral healthcare," he said.
Since 2014, the programme has expanded across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East through participating FDI member national dental associations using standardized data collection methods.
The report also showcases how participating countries have translated findings into policy action. In Lebanon, OHO data contributed to the development of the country's national oral health strategy, while Tanzania used the findings to inform discussions on oral health surveillance and health insurance coverage. Other countries have drawn on the evidence to strengthen advocacy on tobacco control, sugar reduction, disease prevention and oral health promotion.
The FDI OHO Task Team said reliable, patient-centred data are essential for evidence-based policymaking and demonstrate how collaboration between oral health professionals, researchers and national dental associations can improve policies and reduce inequalities.
While acknowledging that the programme focuses on people seeking dental treatment rather than the general population, FDI said practice-based surveillance complements national surveys by providing timely insights into patients' experiences and healthcare needs.
Looking ahead, the federation plans to expand participation in the Oral Health Observatory, strengthen national oral health information systems and help member associations translate data into meaningful policy action.
Supported by Haleon, the initiative aligns with the World Health Organization's call for stronger oral health information systems and greater integration of oral health into broader health policies and universal health coverage, reinforcing the growing importance of patient-centred evidence in improving oral health worldwide.
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