(7506) Oral Health and the Economy: A New Initiative from the World Economic Forum

Oral health is critical for overall health and well-being, with direct links to other major health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and poor mental health. Poor oral health also has a negative impact on the global economy, and with oral diseases affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people each year, their economic burden totals $710 billion annually around the world. Yet oral health has long been left out of traditional healthcare systems and coverage, leading to consistent increases in both the prevalence of oral disease and the inequitable burden of disease among marginalized groups. The World Economic Forum, in partnership with the ADA, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Henry Schein, is making the economic case for investing in oral health across the globe. Join us for an interactive summary of this new initiative.