Implementing policies and programmes to reduce the impact of globalisation on oral health in Pacific Island Countries and Territories

Very little research focuses explicitly on oral health in Pacific Islands countries and territories (PICT). However, oral health will continue to be a concern if policies, programmes, and strategies are not implemented to reduce poor oral health and inequitable outcomes that will affect many Pacific...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of global health economics and policy 2021-11, Vol.1
Main Authors: Pili, Nafanua, Nosa, Vili, Tatui, Leroy
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Very little research focuses explicitly on oral health in Pacific Islands countries and territories (PICT). However, oral health will continue to be a concern if policies, programmes, and strategies are not implemented to reduce poor oral health and inequitable outcomes that will affect many Pacific communities. A review of available studies written between 1969 and 2018 shows that dental caries and periodontal diseases were identified as the most significant oral health issue in PICT. The globalisation of imported food products that are high in sugary content has further exacerbated the increase in DMFT (decayed, missing or filled teeth). With the introduction of tobacco, there have also been many oral health issues with oral cancer, periodontal disease, and periodontitis. There is a need for a sugar tax policy, food policy changes, tobacco policy and the removal tax of oral health products in PICT. In addition, most oral health services are provided in the hospitals and often work within their own departments whereas they might be better working closely with other departments such as the public health team or the education sector so, therefore, there needs to be a coordinated collaboration approach with other services that can promote good oral health policies and health promotion activities.
ISSN:2806-6073
2806-6073
DOI:10.52872/001c.29655