Whilst the World Health Organisation recognises the importance of oral health for overall well-being, oral diseases remain some of the most common non-communicable diseases worldwide. Significant global and socioeconomic disparities are observed, and the burden and risk of poor oral health is greater in early childhood, older adults, and in vulnerable populations.

World Oral Health Day, held every year on March 20^th aims to empower individuals with knowledge and tools to improve their oral health. It also encourages researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to champion oral health in the communities they serve. We share some recent research highlights from the BMC Series that demonstrate the impact oral health has on overall well-being and explore how the delivery of oral health care can be improved.

BMC Oral Health – Frequent toothbrushing boosts resilience among children in poverty: results from a population-based longitudinal study

Oral health is an integral aspect of psychosocial well-being, impacting mental health and self-confidence, particularly in young people where the prevalence of mental health disorders is significant. Whilst research generally focuses on addressing the negative aspects of psychosocial well-being, the promotion of positive aspects that can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety such as ‘resilience’ are often understudied. 

In a longitudinal study of 3459 school children in Japan, the authors of an article in BMC Oral Health explore the relationship between toothbrushing frequency and resilience, and whether toothbrushing frequency helps to mitigate the barrier poverty presents in developing resilience. By analysing data obtained from the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty (A-CHILD) study, the authors determined that children who brushed their teeth at least twice a day when they were in the first grade demonstrated higher resilience scores than counterparts who did not when they reached the fourth grade. They also found that the relationship between more frequent toothbrushing and improved resilience was significantly greater for children living in poverty than those that were not.

The authors conclude that encouraging frequent toothbrushing could be an effective way of resolving disparities in mental and oral well-being between communities .

BMC Nutrition – Oral pathologies and underweight conditions among people living with HIV/AIDS in a health facility in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a study of 205 cases

Another crucial aspect of maintaining oral health is its importance for essential functions, including eating, breathing, and speaking. Poor oral health may lead to discomfort, pain, and difficulty eating, possibly leading to dietary changes and nutritional deficiencies that impact well-being.  This is  particular relevant for those in vulnerable populations, for example people living with HIV, who will be more predisposed to oral pathologies that cause difficulties.

To explore this further, the authors of a cross-sectional study performed at Yaoundé Central Hospital in Cameroon collected data on the dietary habits and oral health status of people living with HIV who attended the centre. The authors found that participants had a high prevalence of oral lesions, with 20% of participants determined to be underweight. They concluded that participants with oral pathologies were approximately 10 times more likely to be underweight than those that did not. Oral candidiasis, gingival erythema, and oral leukoplakia were reported as the most frequent pathologies observed.

BMC Primary Care – Physician characteristics associated with the referral from general practitioners to dental surgeons and proposal for a referral letter template endorsed by dental surgeons in France: a nationwide cross-sectional survey-based study

Communication and collaboration between General Practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare professions (HCPs) is an essential part of patient care, enabling continuity of care and improved health outcomes. A key aspect of inter-professional communication are referral letters, with inaccurate or undetailed medical correspondence more likely to result in poorer outcomes

 Despite the known importance of oral health and clinical cooperation in patient care, evidence indicates that the dentist’s experience of interprofessional collaboration can be poor. To explore this further, a study in France evaluated what medical correspondence were sent between the two professions, and what information GPs and dentists would consider effective and relevant. In a survey, GPs were asked how frequently they referred patients to dentists, and what correspondence they would send, if any. Dentists were asked if they received referrals from GPs, and whether the information they received was sufficient.

Whilst most of the surveyed dentists agreed that effective correspondence from GPs could reduce the risk of adverse events during dental care, over 90% concluded that the information they received from GPs was insufficient, with only 20% of participating GPs indicating that they regularly corresponded with dentists. The authors conclude there is definite room for improvement in dentist-GP collaboration, highlighting diabetes, immunosuppression, and the use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications as items highly relevant to patient care.

BMC Geriatrics - Impact of oral health literacy on oral health behaviours and outcomes among older adults: a scoping review

Older adults are disproportionately impacted by oral health conditions, to the detriment of overall well-being and quality of life, with poor oral health not only linked to chronic systemic conditions, but also impairing an individual's ability to interact socially. There is an increased understanding by oral health care providers that ‘health literacy’, the ability of individuals to use information to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being, has a significant role in explaining the oral health disparities seen in different communities and populations.

A scoping review in BMC Geriatrics from the Collection ‘Oral health in older adults’ aimed to explore this further, by synthesising findings from research that assessed oral health literacy (OHL) and oral health outcomes in individuals aged 60 or over. The authors identify that that despite the known importance of oral health literacy, its role in impacting oral health behaviours in older adults is relatively underexplored in the literature, raising concerns that it has not been given sufficient attention within public health policies.

Whilst the authors identify that  oral-health related behaviours such as toothbrushing and flossing have been reported in the literature, little is known about health information seeking behaviour or dental visits and OHL in older adults. Additionally, whilst a relationship between OHL in older adults and periodontitis, oral health-related quality of life, and oral hygiene have been established, further research may be needed to explore relationship between OHL and other aspects of oral health will required.

The authors emphasise that robust studies that explore the relationship between oral health literacy and well-being in older adults are required, identifying a need for more bespoke health literacy assessment tools and the implementation of oral health literacy interventions.

BMC Public Health - A qualitative study on the factors influencing oral health care for young children in Belgium

Whilst there has been an increased focus on improving oral health in young children worldwide in recent years, it is evident further work is still required, with untreated dental caries being reported as the most common chronic childhood disease. One solution that has been proposed is the integration of oral health care into primary care, emphasising the importance of self-care, health promotion, community programs, and enabling non-dental healthcare professionals to provide guidance on aspects of oral health.

To explore which factors influence oral health care for young children, the authors of an article in BMC Public Health performed a qualitative study involving the parents of young children and healthcare professionals who work with young children and their families. Following a series of focus groups and individual interviews, the authors identified that the parent’s own oral health habits, cultural norms, the child’s behaviour, and ‘lack of knowledge’ were factors that impacted oral health in their children. Some of the health care professionals interviewed  expressed a reluctance to bring up oral health issues unless directly asked by parents, or if they noticed an oral health issue that required attention. Healthcare professionals also discussed uncertainty about the appropriate oral health care practices and guidelines, and whilst they identified financial concerns as a significant barrier to dental care in children, they did not feel they had sufficient information to explain policies relating to reimbursement to parents.

The authors conclude that care guidelines and training may assist healthcare professionals when initiating conversations about oral health with parents, improving care for young children.

Call for papers!

Aligning with this year’s theme for World Oral Health Day “A Happy Mouth is... A Happy Mind”, BMC Oral Health is welcoming submissions that explore the connection between oral health and mental well-being in a Collection on Oral health and mental health (closing date: 2^nd April 2025)

Other open collections at BMC Oral Health include:

• Data-driven dentistry 
• Integrating oral and medical health care
• Oral complications from cancer treatment
• Patient maintenance and management following periodontal treatment