Monitoring Oral Health in the Netherlands- a first insight

Abstract Since 2023, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands has set up the Oral Health Monitor, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). The Oral Health Monitor aims to provide systematic and actual information on the oral health status of the Dutch population. At this point, the monitor is still in a developing phase, which means that information is available for some of the indicators (six out of 17). The Monitor consists of 17 indicators, developed through a Delphi study in 2022, which are used to assess various aspects of oral health. The indicators include for example the prevalence of dental caries, periodontal health, and access to dental care. The indicators have been developed for three target groups: youth, adults and people aged 65 years or older. Some indicators are only relevant for a certain target group. The first report of the Monitor was published in 2024 and shows information of six indicators. Self-reported data from the CBS Health Survey and claims data from the National Healthcare Institute were used. In general, the number of people who visit a dental hygienist is increasing. The percentage of adults and young people who visit a dentist has been stable at 80-85% in recent years. This first report shows that people from lower socio-economic groups performed less well on the indicators. For example, they perceived poorer oral health and also indicated less frequent dentist or dental hygienist visits (71% among people in the lowest socio-economic group vs 91% in the highest group). An overview of all the indicators provides insight in the current state of oral health and highlight areas requiring targeted interventions and provide information for public health policies. Coming year the monitor will be expanded with clinical oral health data from dental clinics. Key messages • The Oral Health Monitor is in development and aims to provide yearly information on the oral health status in the Netherlands, using different data-sources. • Around 80-85% of the adults and young people visit a dentist yearly. People from lower social-economic groups performed less well on the indicators than people from higher social-economic groups.