Oral health is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing – yet it is often overlooked in political decision-making.

From access to dental care and prevention programmes to mouth cancer awareness and health inequalities, the choices made by governments directly affect people’s mouths, lives and futures.

Elected representatives need to hear that oral health matters to the people they serve. A short message from you can help put it higher on the agenda.

Why this matters

In many countries and communities, we are seeing:

• Ongoing difficulties accessing affordable dental care, especially for children, older people and low-income families.

• High levels of tooth decay and gum disease, which remain among the most common health problems worldwide.

• Persistent oral health inequalities, with vulnerable groups experiencing the worst outcomes.

• Low awareness of serious conditions such as mouth cancer, where early detection can save lives.

• Growing recognition that oral health is closely linked to general health, including diabetes, heart health and overall quality of life.

Policy decisions about funding, prevention, workforce planning, education and public health programmes all shape these issues.

What decision-makers can do

Elected representatives can:

• Raise oral health issues in government and with health authorities.

• Support policies that improve access to dental care.

• Back investment in prevention and community health programmes.

• Champion action to reduce health inequalities.

• Promote awareness of mouth cancer and the importance of early diagnosis.

• Ensure oral health is recognised as part of wider health and wellbeing strategies.

Contact your representative

Find the contact details for your local or national representative and send a short email explaining why oral health matters to you and your community.

• United Kingdom - Find Your MP

• USA - Find your Representative - Find and contact elected officials

• Canada - Find your MP

• Australia - Contact Senators and Members

• New Zealand - Find and contact your MP