Oral Health as a Missing Component in Public Health Strategy: A Narrative Review

Oral health is a crucial yet often neglected component of global health. Affecting nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide, oral diseases remain underprioritized in public health systems. This review highlights the burden of oral diseases, their association with systemic health, and the importance of integrating oral health into public health strategies. A narrative review of literature from global health organizations and peer-reviewed sources was conducted to analyze epidemiology, shared risk factors, and systemic implications of oral diseases. Oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancers share common risk factors with major non-communicable diseases, including tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and alcohol consumption. Strong associations exist between oral health and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies also link periodontal disease with diabetes, preterm birth, and cardiovascular disorders. Integrating oral health into public health frameworks can improve prevention, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance population health outcomes. Enhancing awareness, policy integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration is essential.