A new definition of oral health was declared by FDI on world dental congress, Poland. The presentation is based on an editorial published by BDJ and explains why a new definition was needed and what this new definition encompasses.

1. ORAL HEALTH REDEFINED

2. ARTICLE OF INTEREST

3. AUTHORS

4. JOURNAL
 IMPACT FACTOR: 1.082
 VOLUME: 221
 ISSUE: 12
 PAGE NO: 792 - 793

5. On September 6, 2016, a new definition of oral health was
overwhelmingly approved by the FDI World Dental
Federation General Assembly.
INTRODUCTION

6. Key part of the organization’s advocacy and strategic plan
VISION 2020
For the professionals to reflect on
What oral health encompasses?
Implications for clinical practice
And oral health advocacy.

7. Why a new definition was needed??

8. RATIONALE
◉ Oral health is an important contributor to overall health
and well-being, and thus needs to be properly defined,
assessed, managed and promoted.
◉However, an understanding of what is meant by, and the
implications of oral health may differ among different
stakeholders.

9. And if we are uncertain as a profession what we
mean, how can we explain ourselves clearly to
our patients, other health care professionals,
policy makers, and those others we seek to
collaborate with and inform ?
? THE BIG QUESTION

10. …there was a need for a universally accepted definition of oral health,
one that conveys that oral health is a fundamental human right and
that facilitates the inclusion of oral health in all policies.
A common definition can bring stakeholders together to advocate for the
importance of oral health; to influence and shape parameters of care,
health policies, research, education, and reimbursement models; and to
shape the future of our profession.

11. EXISTING DEFINTIONS
“Oral health is a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral
sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss,
and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. Risk factors for oral diseases include
unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene”
Oral health is a functional, structural, aesthetic,
physiologic and psychosocial state of well-being and is
essential to an individual’s general health and quality of
life.*
[*Adopted by the 2014 ADA House of Delegates]

12. EXISTING DEFINTIONS
fails to account for a person’s values, perceptions, and expectations.
Furthermore, existing definitions of oral health mostly lack a theoretical
framework that can be used to address all of the domains and elements
that are part of oral health.

13. “
Oral health is multifaceted and includes the ability to
speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey a
range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence
and without pain, discomfort, and disease of the craniofacial
complex.
ORAL HEALTH - REDEFINED

14. Oral Health:
 is a fundamental component of health and physical and mental well-
being. It exists along a continuum influenced by the values and
attitudes of individuals and communities;
 reflects the physiological, social and psychological attributes that
are essential to the quality of life;
 is influenced by the individual’s changing experiences, perceptions,
expectations and ability to adapt to circumstances.

15. COMPANION FRAMEWORK

16. Disease and condition status - a threshold of severity or a level of
progression of disease, which also includes pain and discomfort;
Physiological function – the capacity to perform a set of actions
that include, but are not limited to, the ability to speak, smile, chew,
and swallow;
Psychosocial function - the relationship between oral health and
mental state that includes, but is not limited to, the capacity to
speak, smile, and interact in social and work situations without
feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed.

17. Driving determinants
covers 5 main domains:
1)Genetic and biological factors,
2)Social environment,
3)Physical environment,
4) Health behaviours,
5)Access to care.
Moderating factors
elements that determine or
affect how a person scores
his or her oral health and
include, but are not limited
to, age, culture, income,
experience, expectations,
and adaptability.

18. COMPANION FRAMEWORK

19. The new definition
-echoes definitions used by the World Health Organization (WHO), national dental
associations worldwide and many other organizations and is, therefore, not a revolution but
an evolution of existing definitions;
-moves dentistry from treating disease to providing care and support for oral health;
-uses language that resonates with language commonly used in the health care realm—words
and concepts that health care professionals across disciplines can understand and use;
-raises awareness of the different dimensions of oral health and emphasizes that oral health
does not occur in isolation but is embedded in the wider framework of overall health.

20. THE WAY FORWARD
We now have a definition of oral health that will enable a
conversation that creates a common understanding when
addressing the needs of people and communities and
when making the case for the importance of optimal oral
health for all.

21. Let’s get started.

22. REFERENCES
1. Glick M, Monteiro da Silva M, Seeberger GK, et al. FDI Vision 2020: shaping
the future of oral health. Int Dent J. 2012;62:278-291.
2. American Dental Association Health Policy Institute. Oral health and well-
being in the United States. Available online at http://www.ada.org/en/science-
research/health-policy-institute/oral-health-and-well-being (accessed October
2016).
3. WHO | Oral health [Internet]. [cited 2017 Feb 16]. Available from:
http://www.who.int/topics/oral_health/en/
4. ADA Policy--Definition of Oral Health [Internet]. [cited 2017 Feb 16].
Available from: http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/ada-positions-policies-
and-statements/ada-policy-definition-of-oral-health

23. Thank
You!