Universal Oral Healthcare Cannot Be Achieved Without Disability Inclusion: WHO

For millions of people living with disabilities, getting basic dental care is still a major struggle. A new World Health Organization (WHO) policy brief warns that oral healthcare systems around the world are leaving many people behind, despite global promises of universal health coverage. Developed with support from researchers at Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and Université Clermont Auvergne, the report highlights how persons with disabilities continue to face serious barriers to affordable and accessible oral healthcare.

The WHO says oral health is far more important than many people realize. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for eating, speaking, breathing, socializing and overall well-being. Poor oral health can also damage self-confidence, affect education and employment opportunities, and reduce quality of life.

People With Disabilities Face Greater Oral Health Risks

According to the report, oral diseases affect around 3.7 billion people globally, making them the world’s most common health problem. However, people with disabilities are far more likely to suffer from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss and oral infections.

Research from countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America shows that both children and adults with disabilities often receive poorer dental treatment than the general population. In many cases, damaged teeth are simply removed instead of treated or restored. These health problems can lead to pain, difficulty eating, speech problems and social isolation.

The WHO stresses that these inequalities are not caused only by disability itself. Instead, they are linked to wider social and healthcare failures. Poverty, discrimination, inaccessible clinics, lack of transport and poorly trained healthcare workers all play a role in worsening oral health outcomes.

Healthcare Systems Are Failing to Adapt

The report argues that many healthcare systems are still not designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Dental clinics may lack wheelchair access, information may not be available in easy-to-read formats, and specialist services are often expensive or located only in large cities.

The WHO believes oral healthcare should become part of primary healthcare systems so that preventive and routine dental services are available closer to where people live. This would reduce dependence on costly specialist centres and make care easier to access.

The report also highlights the importance of simple and low-cost treatments such as fluoride varnishes and minimally invasive dental procedures. These approaches can help people who experience anxiety, mobility difficulties, or communication challenges during conventional dental treatment.

At the same time, the WHO warns that disability-friendly care should never mean lower-quality care. Persons with disabilities, the report says, deserve the same standard of treatment and dignity as everyone else.

Better Training and Inclusion Are Essential

One major challenge identified in the report is the lack of disability-focused training for dentists and oral health workers. Many healthcare professionals are not properly prepared to communicate with patients with disabilities or adapt treatment to their needs.

The WHO is calling for major reforms in dental education so future professionals are trained in communication support, behavioural management and disability-inclusive care. Caregivers and support workers should also receive basic oral health training because they often help individuals with daily hygiene routines.

The report further stresses that persons with disabilities must be directly involved in shaping healthcare policies. Their experiences can help governments design more inclusive and effective oral health systems. WHO officials say people with disabilities should not only be treated as patients but also recognized as important voices in healthcare decision-making.

Countries Showing Signs of Progress

Some countries are already taking important steps toward more inclusive oral healthcare. Brazil has integrated oral health services into its public healthcare system through community-based primary care networks. Japan provides strong financial protection for dental treatment under its universal insurance system, including additional support for persons with disabilities.

Australia has improved disability-disaggregated data collection to better understand gaps in healthcare access, while Morocco has used community participation models to strengthen inclusion in health reforms.

Despite these examples, the WHO warns that progress remains slow. The organization says universal health coverage cannot truly be universal while millions of persons with disabilities continue to face preventable oral diseases and barriers to care.

Oral healthcare is a basic human right, and governments must act urgently to ensure no one is excluded from essential dental services because of disability.