Equity and integration; why the oral healthcare community urgently needs to reflect on its approach to caries management

The evidence of oral disease burden and their impact on lives and livelihoods is overwhelming. The architecture and process to develop a coherent, consistent and mutually reinforcing approach for the management of dental caries exists through the WHO strategy and action plan. To successfully address equity and integration issues, the oral healthcare community must address the disconnect between advocacy, education, practice and caries management remuneration, finding agreement through negotiation and common ground between all stakeholder groups. Framing and aligning oral and dental health priorities within broader general health and development goals can foster a more resilient and cohesive response to both protracted and emerging challenges.