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FDI World Dental Federation

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Iveta Ramonaite, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 20. August 2024

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ISTANBUL, Turkey: Dr Dany Daou is a distinguished dentist who is active in the dental public health field. In this interview with Dental Tribune International, he sheds light on the pressing challenges Lebanon faces in accessing and utilising oral healthcare. These challenges are exacerbated by the country’s ongoing political, security and economic crises. He also discusses the pivotal role of FDI’s Oral Health Observatory (OHO) project in providing the critical data and insights on oral health in Lebanon essential for shaping future oral health strategies in the country.

Dr Daou, what challenges does Lebanon face regarding access to oral healthcare and its utilisation in the country?
Lebanon is grappling with multiple crises spanning politics, security and economics, which have an impact on various industries, including the oral and general health industries. Since the Beirut explosion in 2020, financial constraints have become the primary barrier to accessing dental care. It is important to note that Lebanon does not face a shortage of dentists. However, the high cost of dental treatment relative to the population’s financial status remains the main obstacle to dental care and is coupled with a lack of social health insurance coverage.

Recent studies have highlighted additional factors, beyond financial constraints, that contribute to the non-utilisation of dental care. These factors include human elements and personal preferences. A significant portion of the population lack sufficient education on oral health, leading many to under-estimate the necessity of regular dental visits and the importance of oral health as part of overall well-being. Time constraints also play a role, and patients place considerable importance on the ethical standards and personal qualities of their dentists.

Dr Dany Daou is a faculty member and the coordinator of a master's programme in dental public health in the Faculty of Dental Medicine at the Lebanese University in Beirut.

Lebanon is one of 12 countries participating in FDI’s OHO project to collect standardised data on oral health. Could you share some insights about the project and its outcomes in Lebanon?
FDI’s OHO project came at a crucial time for Lebanon. It was initiated in 2019 in Lebanon, and we completed data collection in early 2020, just as the crisis began. The significance of this project lies in its provision of previously unavailable data on Lebanon’s oral health status. Although practice-based, the data serves as an excellent interim measure until a comprehensive national survey can be conducted. It offers a solid foundation for developing strategies and actions that are geared towards multilevel and community-level interventions. Additionally, this data is a valuable resource for advocacy efforts in Lebanon.

The project involved 26 dentists from five administrative provinces who recruited around 800 patients. The results covered several areas: patient-reported oral and general health, patient-reported oral health-related behaviour and dentist-reported patient oral health status. The data found that one-third of patients felt that their oral health issues had a negative impact on their overall life satisfaction. It also disclosed that nearly 38% of patients consumed foods and drinks high in sugar daily. According to data gained from dental professionals, there was an average of four carious teeth per patient, and 41% of patients had gingivitis.

The results of this OHO study, which was conducted by FDI in collaboration with the Lebanese Dental Association, were alarming and shed light on the poor oral health prevalent among the Lebanese. Given the deteriorating economic situation in Lebanon, it is expected that the current circumstances are now significantly worse. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement a new strategy to combat oral disease and improve oral health in Lebanon.

“Amid the multitude of challenges Lebanon is facing, oral health does not rank high on the political agenda.”

What plans are in place to improve oral health in Lebanon?
Unfortunately, amid the multitude of challenges Lebanon is facing, oral health does not rank high on the political agenda. To address this issue, it is essential to launch new initiatives. One such initiative involves a collaborative effort between a dedicated team and FDI to develop a new strategy for Lebanon that aligns with FDI’s Vision 2030 and the World Health Organization’s oral health strategy. It aims to unify all segmented efforts, creating a comprehensive and effective plan to improve oral health in the country. Grounded in OHO data, the strategy will serve as a powerful tool for oral health advocacy.

Meanwhile, some initiatives are bridging the gap, particularly those led by the Lebanese Dental Association and the dental public health departments at dental faculties in Lebanon. These efforts are crucial for maintaining and improving oral health standards until the new comprehensive strategy can be fully implemented.

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