Oral Health Care in Humanitarian Crises: Developing Research and Guidelines—IADR GOHIRN Workshop at 2025 IADR/PER General Session & Exhibition

Abstract

Introduction: More than 123 million people are currently forcibly displaced due to conflict, climate change, and political and economic instability. Despite the considerable burden of oral diseases among displaced communities, oral health remains one of the most underresearched and underaddressed areas in humanitarian response. Objectives: To summarise key insights from the 2025 IADR/PER General Session & Exhibition symposium organised by the Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network (GOHIRN), which focused on advancing oral health research and guidelines in humanitarian crises. Methods: The 90-min symposium and associated workshop brought together 20 to 30 participants, including researchers, clinicians, and global health stakeholders. Following presentations, participants worked in 3 breakout groups to discuss oral health research needs and guideline development, aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Global Research Agenda on Health, Migration and Displacement. Proposed research principles were mapped to the WHO’s 3 core research themes: 1) generating knowledge to support inclusive universal health coverage and primary health care; 2) strengthening the inclusion of migrants, refugees, and displaced populations in health emergency preparedness and response; and 3) promoting multisectoral research on the social and structural determinants of health among displaced groups. Results: Discussions across the WHO’s agenda themes highlighted the need for improved oral health research for understudied displaced populations and for stronger collaborations to translate evidence into policy and practice. Key priorities included embedding oral health research within primary health care and routine surveillance systems; developing evidence-based safety guidelines for clinicians and patients; delivering care in resource-constrained settings; ensuring that research is ethical, culturally responsive, and centred on community benefit; and promoting intersectoral research that accounts for local contexts, dietary practices, and culturally informed understandings of oral health. Conclusion: These insights highlight the pressing need to elevate oral health within humanitarian agendas and establish research frameworks capable of advancing health equity for displaced populations. Knowledge transfer statement: This communication presents insights from a global meeting on research priorities and guidelines for oral health in humanitarian settings. By aligning oral health needs with the World Health Organization’s Global Research Agenda on Health, Migration and Displacement, it provides practical guidance for integrating oral health research into primary care, emergency preparedness, and multisectoral public health strategies. It also highlights evidence-based approaches to safety and infection control in crisis contexts, supporting ethical, culturally appropriate, and context-relevant research.