Chief Dental Officer, Dympna Kavanagh, delivers a presentation to the International Noma Network

This week the Chief Dental Officer, Dympna Kavanagh, delivered a presentation on effective advocacy in oral health to the International Noma Network, as part of their monthly webinar series.

Advocacy to raise the importance of good oral health amongst policy makers is essential, recognising that oral diseases affect an estimated 3.5 billion people each year. While in Europe we are familiar with oral disease such as gum (periodontal), dental decay (caries) and oral cancer, in Africa, the Americas, Asia and other regions Noma, a gangrenous infection of the face and jaws, is a high mortality disease for 90% of those who acquire it. It predominately affects malnourished children aged 2−6 years old. Noma was recently named a neglected tropical disease. Further support is needed to assist Noma advocacy efforts raise awareness of the condition.

The Irish government supports the NOMA community, and this reflects our own history where Ireland recorded NOMA cases in past census reflecting malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and antibiotics.

In the lead up to the World Health Assembly of the WHO in May, and the subsequent United Nations High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases in September, where Oral Health is a focus, advocacy for oral health for all globally is necessary to ensure that all regardless of their income have the opportunity to achieve good oral health.

The International Noma Network is a hub for the Noma community where researchers and stakeholders can share their latest work, publications, and news on Noma via their monthly webinars and online platform. For more information on this organisation’s outstanding work, visit the International Noma Network website.