What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to evaluate progress and gaps in achieving universal health coverage in oral health in the Americas.

March 15, 2026Open Access

Oral health in the Americas: progress, gaps, and the path to universal coverage

Key Points

The aim is to evaluate progress and gaps in achieving universal health coverage in oral health in the Americas.
Assessment of the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan goals
Evaluation of oral disease prevalence and health inequalities in the Americas
Exploration of integration of oral health into health systems
Identified existing health inequalities affecting oral health access
Showed progress in some areas but persistent gaps in universal coverage
Highlighted the need for strategic actions to achieve set goals by 2030

Abstract

As we approach World Oral Health Day on March 20, 2026, it is important to consider whether the Americas are moving towards the goals of the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030. These goals include reducing oral diseases and inequalities, and integrating oral health into universal health coverage, or investigating whether the region is moving further away from these objectives.

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Discussion

Authors

The Lancet Regional Health – Americas

Journals

The Lancet Regional Health - Americas

Actions

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Oral health in the Americas: progress, gaps, and the path to universal coverage

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Cite this study

Also consider