MANILA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific and The Borrow Foundation have agreed to strengthen support for oral health programs across the region, said the WHO regional office based in the Philippines' capital, Manila, on Tuesday.
The office said oral diseases -- ranging from dental caries to oral cancer -- remain the most common noncommunicable diseases in the region, affecting nearly 960 million people, or about 42 percent of the population.
Despite most oral diseases being preventable, access to essential oral health care services remains limited in many countries in the region, underscoring the need for stronger policy development, coordination and implementation, the office added.
Under a newly signed agreement, the WHO regional office and The Borrow Foundation focus on preventive measures, integrating essential oral health services into primary health care and universal health coverage systems, and improving coordination among countries across the region. ■
