As oral health takes on growing importance within broader public health strategies, data-driven insights are becoming essential for shaping effective policy and clinical practice. In this interview, Dental Tribune International speaks with Dr Liu Yi, director of international communication at the Chinese Stomatological Association and clinical professor at Peking University School of Stomatology in China, about China’s involvement in FDI’s Oral Health Observatory (OHO) project. Dr Liu discusses how the initiative complements existing national oral health data and shares key insights emerging from China’s participation in this global effort to standardise oral health data.
Dr Liu, what motivated China to take part in the OHO project, and how does this initiative align with China’s national oral health priorities?
As an active member of FDI, the Chinese Stomatological Association closely follows FDI’s initiatives, including the OHO. From the very first meeting, we saw the OHO as a valuable opportunity to compare oral health across countries. It is a chance to learn from others’ experiences, which is key to reducing oral health gaps and working towards universal oral healthcare. Only an organisation such as FDI, through its extensive global network of dental professionals, is capable of executing a project of this scale.
So far, the project includes data from six other countries, and we’re excited to work with FDI to explore the comparisons between these countries in greater depth. If more countries join, this could become an incredibly valuable global database for dental professionals everywhere.
One of the reasons we joined the project is to fill in the gaps in our data. We have recently completed our fifth national oral health survey, which examines oral health among over 170,000 Chinese children and adults. However, the OHO provides clinic-based, real-time data from patients actively seeking care—an aspect not covered in our broader population surveys.
We greatly appreciate the OHO’s approach. It employs a user-friendly app developed by the FDI team. Patients can complete surveys on their phones or tablets, and the app is easy to use and efficient. Additionally, it can be tailored to local needs and facilitates efficient data analysis. It is a notable advancement in how we collect and use oral health data.
From your perspective, what are the most valuable insights China has gained so far from participating in the OHO project—particularly in terms of patient behaviours and clinical outcomes?
The OHO has been a goldmine of insights for China. Firstly, it has shown us an innovative approach to data collection from patients in dental clinics, opening the door for future research and better tracking of oral health trends.
Regarding patient behaviours, the OHO data revealed some clear patterns. For example, people who brush less than twice a day, smoke or drink alcohol tend to have worse gingival health. Similarly, those who don’t brush enough or consume many sugary foods and drinks have more cavities. These habits, especially when combined with frequent consumption of alcohol, affect quality of life. We’ve also observed that many Chinese patients tend to seek treatment only when issues arise, highlighting the need for greater emphasis on prevention and oral health education. Finally, the findings underscore the established correlation between oral health and systemic health, reinforcing the need for integrated healthcare strategies.
“The OHO provides clinic-based, real-time data from patients actively seeking care.”
How do you see the data collected through the OHO project influencing oral health policy and clinical practice in China?
The OHO’s efficient data collection fits perfectly with the World Health Organization’s push to integrate oral health into broader health strategies for non-communicable diseases. In China, our national oral health survey is costly and requires a lot of manpower. The OHO’s app-based approach has the potential to significantly improve oral health monitoring by offering a more cost-effective solution. It could also be integrated into broader health information systems that track other non-communicable diseases. Over time, this could give us real-time data to guide smarter policies, improve clinical care and make oral health programmes more effective and sustainable.
Editorial note:
The Oral Health Observatory is a global initiative launched by FDI World Dental Federation to standardise, collect and compare oral health data across countries. During the FDI World Dental Congress, the session, titled “Oral Health Observatory: The importance of practice-based data collection for policy development and advocacy,” will be held on 10 September from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. in Hall W, Room N. More information about the 2025 FDI World Dental Congress can be found here.
Topics:
Tags:
SHANGHAI, China: After nearly two decades, the FDI World Dental Congress (FDIWDC) returns to mainland China this week. Co-hosted by FDI World Dental ...
As the global dental community prepares to gather in Shanghai for the 2025 FDI World Dental Congress (FDIWDC25), the spotlight turns to the next generation ...
SEOUL, South Korea: Osstem Implant, a global leader in dental solutions, is announcing its participation in the upcoming FDI World Dental Congress ...
SHANGHAI, China: The launch of the campaign for World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2026 will take place during the 2025 FDI World Dental Congress (FDIWDC25), ...
SHANGHAI, China: The third edition of the highly anticipated FDI Young Dentists Forum is designed to support and inspire the next generation of dental ...
This September in Shanghai, the 2025 FDI World Dental Congress (FDIWDC25) will welcome thousands of oral health professionals from around the world. ...
Dr. Anna Lella, Ms. Francesca Nava
Mr. James Allison, Prof. Lakshman Samaranayake, Prof. Suhail Al-Amad, Prof. Laurence Walsh A0 BDSc (Hons) (Qld), DDSc (Qld), PhD (Qld), GCEd, FFOP (RCPA), FICD, FADI, FPFA, FIADFE
Dr. Wendy Thompson, Dr. Leanne Teoh
Brazil / Brasil
Canada / Canada
Latin America / Latinoamérica
USA / USA
Austria / Österreich
Bosnia and Herzegovina / Босна и Херцеговина
Bulgaria / България
Croatia / Hrvatska
Czech Republic & Slovakia / Česká republika & Slovensko
France / France
Germany / Deutschland
Greece / ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
Hungary / Hungary
Italy / Italia
Netherlands / Nederland
Nordic / Nordic
Poland / Polska
Portugal / Portugal
Romania & Moldova / România & Moldova
Slovenia / Slovenija
Serbia & Montenegro / Србија и Црна Гора
Spain / España
Switzerland / Schweiz
Turkey / Türkiye
UK & Ireland / UK & Ireland
China / 中国
India / भारत गणराज्य
Japan / 日本
Pakistan / Pākistān
Vietnam / Việt Nam
ASEAN / ASEAN
Israel / מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל
Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia / الجزائر والمغرب وتونس
Middle East / Middle East
Prof. Dr. med. dent. Stefan WolfartRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Paweł Aleksandrowicz PhDRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Ashton Prince DMDRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Ingrid Ledra:sharpen(level=0):output(format=png)/up/dt/2022/01/Sprintray_Logo_2506x700.png "SprintRay")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/FDIWDC25_3_Session-Sugar.jpg "“Reducing sugar consumption is a complex, cross-sectoral task”")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/As-oral-disease-becomes-more-prevalent-collaboration-becomes-essential_Jayant-Singh.jpg "“As oral disease becomes more prevalent, collaboration becomes essential”")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/FDIWDC25-GC-presents-modern-amalgam-alternatives_header.jpg "FDIWDC25: GC presents modern amalgam alternatives")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/Charting-the-course-to-2030_Interview-with-Vision-2030-expert-group-chair-Prof.%E2%80%AFManu-Mathur-2.jpg "Charting the course to 2030: Interview with Vision 2030 expert group chair Prof. Manu Mathur")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/FDIWDC25_001.jpg "FDI World Dental Congress returns to China")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/3dprinting.jpg "3D printing")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/aligners.jpg "aligners")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2022/01/Sprintray_Logo_2506x700.png "SprintRay"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2021/02/logo-gc-int.png "GC International"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/AMD-Lasers-Logo-500-px-removebg-preview-1.png "AMD Lasers"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2014/02/Du%CC%88rr_Dental.png "Dürr Dental")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2014/02/3shape.png "3Shape")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2010/02/logo-3DISC-et-baseline-fond-blanc.jpg "3DISC"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2011/07/fdi.png)
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/The-Oral-Health-Observatory-has-been-a-goldmine-of-insights-for-China_header.jpg "“The Oral Health Observatory has been a goldmine of insights for China”")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/wp-content/themes/dt/images/dt-user.gif "Dental Tribune International")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/FDIWDC25_001.jpg "FDI World Dental Congress returns to China")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/Empowering-the-voices-of-tomorrow-at-the-FDI-Young-Dentists-Forum_2.jpg "Empowering the voices of tomorrow at the FDI Young Dentists Forum")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/2025-09-01_Osstem-Implant-announces-participation-in-FDIWDC25.jpg "Osstem Implant announces participation in FDIWDC25")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/World-Oral-Health-Day-2024%E2%80%932026-campaign-1.jpg "Final chapter of World Oral Health Day to be launched at FDIWDC25")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/FDI-Young-Dentists-Forum-2025-Empowering-the-next-generation-of-dental-leaders.jpg "FDI Young Dentists Forum 2025: Empowering the next generation of dental leaders")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/Driving-global-dialogue-in-dentistry-through-interactive-clinical-symposia_new.jpg "Driving global dialogue in dentistry through interactive clinical symposia")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/FDIWDC25_3_Session-Sugar.jpg "“Reducing sugar consumption is a complex, cross-sectoral task”")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/Charting-the-course-to-2030_Interview-with-Vision-2030-expert-group-chair-Prof.%E2%80%AFManu-Mathur-2.jpg "Charting the course to 2030: Interview with Vision 2030 expert group chair Prof. Manu Mathur")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/FDIWDC25-promises-to-be-one-of-the-largest-and-most-dynamic-dental-gatherings-to-date.jpg "“FDIWDC25 promises to be one of the largest and most dynamic dental gatherings to date”")
To post a reply please login or register