'Oral health matters': it is time for a culture change in dentistry

Abstract

This opinion is borne out of my involvement in and experience with colleagues at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the International Dental Federation (FDI) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and seeks to provide a strong rationale for the dental profession embracing the advantages of a primary preventive agenda. Five key actions are used to emphasise our role in health and wellbeing, addressing inequalities, engaging more with other healthcare colleagues, being trans-sectoral (beyond health) in our approach and being prepared to embrace change. The thrust of the argument is that dentistry has been significantly undervalued in the healthcare field in the past, and can play a unique and leading role in future health and wellbeing through primary prevention.