Basel, Switzerland 15 March 2026
This first article in our series “Oral Health Insights” distills the key findings of the WHO (World Health Organization) Global Oral Health Status Report (2022) into a concise and practical overview. Despite its significance, the report remains surprisingly unknown outside specialist circles. Yet its core message is striking: oral diseases are the most widespread health conditions worldwide. Nearly half of the global population is affected — more people than those living with all major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) combined, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases (p. 9).
More than 3.5 billion people live with untreated oral conditions, a number that has grown by 1 billion in just three decades (p. 11). The consequences extend far beyond the mouth: pain, infections, impaired nutrition, lost school and workdays, and significant financial strain.
The full WHO report spans hundreds of pages. This article captures the essential insights — the scale of the problem, the systemic drivers, and the implications for dental professionals and organizations such as the Straumann Group and the Straumann Group Foundation.
It clarifies why oral health must be integrated into universal health coverage (UHC) efforts by 2030 — and where coordinated action can make the greatest difference.
