Oral Health Trends and Content Analysis of Oral Health Policies in South‐East Asia
Ramya Krishna B. M., Raveena Raveendran, Pragati Hebbar, Lathadevi ChilgodABSTRACT
Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate oral health trends and policy representation in South‐East Asia, where disparities in access to oral health care and its integration into primary health care persist. The objectives were to: (1) describe oral disease burden and health system indicators across countries in the WHO South‐East Asia Region (SEAR) using WHO Oral Health Country Profile data; (2) analyse national oral health‐related policies using the Policy Triangle Framework; and (3) examine alignment between oral disease burden and policy content across the region.
Methods
A convergent mixed‐methods policy analysis was conducted, combining descriptive synthesis of secondary indicators (oral disease prevalence, risk factor exposure, health expenditure, and workforce density) from the 2022 WHO Oral Health Country Profiles for 11 SEAR countries, with qualitative document analysis of 28 national policy documents published between 2007 and 2023. Qualitative content analysis was undertaken using Walt and Gilson's Policy Triangle Framework to examine the policy context, content, actors, and processes to identify areas of alignment and disconnect between policy priorities and population oral health needs.
Results
Secondary quantitative analysis indicated a substantial oral disease burden across the region, with untreated dental caries prevalence exceeding 35% in all countries and with dentist density ranging from 0.1 to 2.4 per 10 000 population (median 1.0). Only four countries had standalone oral health policies, while oral health was variably integrated into NCD and national health policies elsewhere. Contextual factors such as economic constraints, geographic disparities, and social determinants influenced policy implementation. Content‐wise, policies emphasise treatment but often lack risk‐reduction strategies. Key actors included Ministries of Health, healthcare providers and international agencies; multisectoral collaboration was limited. In some contexts, sustainability challenges were evident due to inadequate funding and reliance on privatised healthcare.
Conclusions
This analysis identified a disconnect between oral health policy development and SEAR's high burden of oral diseases. Strengthening policy alignment, prioritising preventive care and enhancing multi‐sectoral collaborations are critical to addressing oral health disparities in the region.