Oral diseases in Palestine

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2024-07, Vol.404 (10447), p.26-27
• Main Authors: Zhu, David T, Zinszer, Kate, Abuzerr, Samer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arabs; COVID-19; Disease prevention; Health facilities; Health services; Humans; Income; Infrastructure; Low income groups; Malnutrition; Middle East - epidemiology; Morbidity; Mouth Diseases; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Oral diseases; Oral hygiene; Political factors; Poverty; Primary care; Public health; Respiratory tract infection; Risk factors; Shortages
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01249-2

In 2021, oral diseases in Palestine ranked just behind COVID-19 and upper respiratory infections in terms of morbidity.1 The 2021 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study reported 52 609 cases of oral diseases per 100 000 population and 11 424 disability-adjusted life-years due to oral disease, with children and adolescents being the most affected.1 Palestine's situation reflects broader trends seen in low-income and middle-income countries, which have higher rates of oral diseases compared with high-income countries.2 This disparity is rooted in a multitude of factors including political conflict; poverty; malnutrition; little access to clean, fluoridated water; and shortages of dental and primary care providers. In the West Bank, oral health services were available through private dental clinics, government health centres, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs); however, high costs limited access to private care for families with low income, and public clinics faced long waiting times and resource shortages. In Gaza, oral health services are delivered by both the public and private sectors, but are severely affected by conflicts and blockades.