Oral diseases affect nearly half of the world's population, yet oral health remains disconnected from many healthcare priorities, policy discussions and investment decisions.
As a contributor to the World Economic Forum white paper The Economic Rationale for a Global Commitment to Invest in Oral Health, developed with the World Economic Forum’s Oral Health Affinity Group, the Colgate-Palmolive Company, Henry Schein and the American Dental Association, I helped examine a simple question: What if oral health were viewed as an investment rather than an expense?
The findings are compelling. Oral diseases account for an estimated $710 billion economic burden annually in treatment costs and productivity losses worldwide, affecting workforce participation, educational outcomes, healthcare spending and quality of life. The report argues that prevention and early intervention offer significant opportunities to improve outcomes while reducing long-term costs.Poor Oral Health Is a Global Economic Issue
Poor oral health affects more than individual well-being. Untreated oral diseases contribute to missed workdays and school days (absenteeism), reduced productivity (presenteeism), lost earnings and higher healthcare utilization and costs. For policymakers and business leaders, this reframes oral health as both a health and economic priority. Investing in better oral health can generate benefits that extend well beyond a healthy smile.The Link Between Oral Health and Overall Health Has Never Been Clearer
Research continues to emerge strengthening the connection between oral health and systemic health. Chronic infection and inflammation associated with common oral diseases increases the risk for and ability to control many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The treatment and longterm management of oral diseases should never be considered optional or elective. As healthcare systems place greater emphasis on prevention and population health, oral health has an opportunity to become more integrated into healthcare strategies, with a need for dentistry and medicine to work more closely together. Patients benefit most when whole person health is approached comprehensively across disciplines.Prevention Delivers Some of Healthcare's Highest Returns
Many common oral diseases are preventable through evidence-based care, education, risk assessment and reduction strategies, self care and regular access to services. Yet healthcare systems still devote far more resources to treatment or sick care than prevention. Preventive oral healthcare remains one of the most cost-effective investments available to governments, employers and health systems. Every prevented cavity, avoided emergency room visit and operating room procedure made possible by risk reduction strategies and early detection of oral diseases like caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and oral cancer, driven by informed patients and access to dental care, contributes to better patient outcomes and lower costs.Expanding Access Requires New Partnerships
Improving oral health outcomes will require collaboration among governments, providers, academic institutions, industry, employers and community organizations. Complex health challenges demand coordinated solutions. Strong partnerships can expand preventive care, strengthen education, improve access to care, advance research and support smarter policy decisions.Health Literacy Matters as Much as Access
Access alone is not enough. Many people still lack a clear understanding of how oral health influences overall health. All healthcare professionals, beyond oral care providers, play a critical role in closing that gap. Every patient interaction is an opportunity to educate, build awareness and promote healthy behaviors through trusted, evidence-based guidance. This is why improving oral health literacy among all healthcare providers is essential to ensuring awareness of the oral diseases that patients may face along with the impact that oral health has on overall healthcare. Well-informed providers can then properly educate their patients, make appropriate clinical decisions and referrals to oral care providers for necessary care.A Defining Moment for Oral Health
Global health leaders, policymakers and employers are increasingly recognizing that oral health is fundamental to overall health, economic productivity and quality of life. The question is no longer whether oral health deserves greater attention. It is whether stakeholders are prepared to invest accordingly. The evidence strongly suggests that the return on oral health investment is clear. Better oral health supports healthier populations, stronger workforces and more resilient healthcare systems. The future of oral health will depend on how effectively we prioritize prevention, access to care, integration and health equity, recognizing oral health as a foundational pillar of health itself.