COVID-19 Has Clarified 2 Foundational Policy Questions in Dentistry

Abstract

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, health policy debates about the importance of oral health and dental care were intensifying around the world. These debates were invariably complex and muddled by political, professional, and commercial interests. Although, in broad terms, 2 foundational questions have tended to undergird debates on how dental care should be addressed in health policy. These are: who should receive the support of governments, and what constitutes essential or medically necessary dental care? In our view, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a stark social and policy context that has radically clarified both questions. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This commentary can be used by governments, regulators, professional groups, and other stakeholders in their considerations of what constitutes essential or medically necessary dental care and how to best allocate dental care resources.