Overview

With changes in modern lifestyles and increasingly diverse dietary habits, maintaining effective oral health has become a common challenge for many. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from one or more untreated oral diseases, such as dental caries, severe gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer, affecting nearly half of the global population. Over the past 30 years, the number of cases has increased by 1 billion, with incidence rates continuing to rise faster than global population growth.

Oral health impacts not only essential daily functions such as chewing, speech, and facial aesthetics but also overall health. Numerous studies have shown that individuals with oral diseases are at a higher risk of developing systemic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and respiratory diseases. Despite the growing recognition of oral health's importance, it remains significantly underprioritized at both personal and public health levels worldwide.

Key Challenges in Oral Health:

1. Lack of Infrastructure

Oral healthcare often relies on expensive professional equipment and highly skilled practitioners. This lack of infrastructure means that access to basic oral health services is limited to a small segment of the global population. Low-income and remote areas, in particular, face significant barriers to obtaining essential oral health care.

2. Insufficient Preventive Measures

Oral diseases are highly insidious, often presenting no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. While these conditions can be prevented through proper care habits and regular monitoring of oral health data, neglecting early prevention can result in higher costs often 10 to 20 times more once the disease progresses to an advanced stage. It is estimated that oral diseases contribute to global economic losses exceeding $710 billion annually.

3. High Out-of-Pocket Costs

In most countries, oral care is not considered a basic healthcare need and is therefore excluded from insurance coverage. This leaves individuals to shoulder high out-of-pocket expenses for oral care. In high-income countries, the average annual per capita expenditure on oral health exceeds $300, while in other developed nations, it ranges between $51 to $300. Meanwhile, residents in low-income regions struggle to access even basic dental care. The high cost of oral care often discourages individuals from seeking timely treatment, allowing oral health issues to worsen unchecked.

No other disease affects the entire human life cycle and all countries like oral diseases do, yet the vast patient base and strong market demand have not translated into sufficient profits or rapid development for the oral health industry.