IADR echoes the concern raised in the 2023 Global Monitoring Report that the world is off track to achieve UHC by 2030.

Oral diseases affect nearly 3.7 billion people, yet oral health remains one of the most neglected components of primary care. It’s continued exclusion from UHC benefit packages and primary health systems continue to deepen inequities.

Health systems that overlook oral health fall short in equity, quality, efficiency, and resilience. We urge Member States to:

• Integrate essential, high-quality oral health services in national UHC benefit packages at the primary care level;
• Align investments in oral health research and surveillance with the Global Oral Health Action Plan (WHA76(9)) which was unanimously adopted in 2023; and
• Strengthen evidence-based planning, including investments in oral health data systems and workforce development.

Universal health coverage and primary health care must serve the whole person, oral health included.

Thank you.