| Abstrakt: |
In recent years, the importance of oral health in overall health, quality of life and social well-being has been internationally acknowledged. At the same time, dental science advancements allow, more than ever, the achievement of the desired level of oral health, while modern scientific developments further advocate the value of oral diseases prevention. Unfortunately, population's oral health status in Greece is not quite satisfactory, despite the progress of previous decades, while the importance of prevention is still underestimated. The above are results, on the one hand, of the chronic pathogenesis of the Health System of Greece and, on the other hand, of the long-term economic crisis, which profoundly affected Greece's oral health care system. The World Oral Health Day (the 20th of March) offers a chance of promoting oral health, prevention and equitable access to oral health care. However, despite this year's significant preparation, the effort of the Hellenic Dental Association and the local Dental Associations was overshadowed by the pandemic of COVID-19. In addition, both in Greece and internationally, Dentistry seems to be absent from the scientific, political and social developments related to the management of the current major public health crisis and oral health is in danger of permanently constitute a sideline of the Health System. Therefore, inclusion of oral health in Health System's priorities, especially in Greece, and, consequently, brave financial support of oral health care are urgent needs so that inequalities and exclusions are gradually reduced and improvement of the population's health status is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
