Current concept of oral health and its potential implications for policy and practice of dental health coverage and insurance: post COVID-19 measurement

Che Musa, Muhd Firdaus and Ab Halim, Noorhazayti and Sayed Kamar, Syarifah Haizan and Abllah, Zurainie and Supa'at, Salwana and Mohd Ibrahim, Mohamad Shafiq (2021) Current concept of oral health and its potential implications for policy and practice of dental health coverage and insurance: post COVID-19 measurement. IIUM Journal of Orofacial and Health Sciences, 2 (1). pp. 4-13. E-ISSN 2735-0584

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Abstract

This review paper aims to succinctly discuss the current concept and definition of general and oral-health and its potential implications on policy and practice in regards to the dental health coverage/insurance post COVID-19 pandemic. In general, dental policies and coverage are treatment-oriented, largely focus on curative procedures with some portion for preventive care despite most of dental diseases being largely preventable. There is however still no universal consensus definition of health, leading to mixed-feeling in setting-up priorities and direction for health policy. The FDI-World Dental Federation has then published a new definition of oral-health, highlighting the broader determinants of oral-health and envisioning a discussion on the implications of this definition and, in particular, how to transform the new oral health framework into a policy and practice agenda. In Malaysia, it is predicted there will be increasing demand for public dental coverage post COVID-19, however the government is yet to be ready in fulfilling those needs, leading to worsening oral-health inequalities. The lack of healthcare expenditure with no health social-insurance model reduces the affordability and accessibility of patients to private services. Moreover, such narrow definition of oral-health, as influenced by the previous policies led to a limited coverage for common dental diseases, including oral health-related deformities linked to oral cancer and injuries. These are the major challenges for Malaysia. The government should therefore working in partnership, start subsidising dental fees of private health insurance, focus and integrate disease prevention and health promotion in order to achieve WHO-goal of universal health coverage.

Item Type:	Article (Review)
Additional Information:	5869/89372
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Definition, oral health, perception, dental coverage, COVID-19, Malaysia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health
Depositing User:	Asst Prof Noorhazayti Ab. Halim
Date Deposited:	16 Apr 2021 11:54
Last Modified:	16 Apr 2021 11:54
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/89372

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