Oral diseases affect almost 3.5 billion people worldwide. In Moldova, 39% of the persons examined in 2019 (most recent available data), 39% needed dental treatment. The picture was presented by the National Public Health Agency in connection with World Oral Health Day that is celebrated on March 20, IPN reports.

As many as 1.56 million visits to dentists were recorded in Moldova in 2019. Of these, 612,000 visits were made by children. Of all the examined children, 33.6% needed to improve their oral health conditions.

Contacted by IPN for a comment, doctor of medical sciences Aurelia Spinei, university professor, said the treatment of dental diseases in full amount is inaccessible to the largest part of the population owing to the high costs, while the resources allocated from the health insurance funds are insufficient, being 5.71 times on average lower than the real costs.

A considerable rise in dental diseases in children was witnessed the last decade compared with the WHO objectives for 2020. 85.45% of the children in rural communities do not obey oral hygiene rules or do not have individual oral care remedies. But oral health is a key indicator of overall health and wellbeing.

“Regardless of age, oral care is essential for overall health. Correct oral care, regular visits to dentists and a healthy lifestyle can help us protect our health. A healthy smile helps us to fully enjoy life and it is worth the effort,” stated Aurelia Spinei.

World Oral Health Day was instituted by the General Assembly of the World Dental Federation on October 26, 2007 and was celebrated first on September 12, 2008. World Oral Health Day aims to empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health. On this day, the world is urged to unite to help reduce the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals, health systems and economies everywhere.