Bridging global oral health gaps through evidence based frameworks and community centered interventions

Abstract

Oral health is a critical yet often overlooked component of global health, with low- and middle-income countries and marginalized communities facing the greatest disparities in access and outcomes of oral health care. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from policy frameworks, program evaluations, and peer-reviewed literature from 2014 onward to explore effective strategies for bridging the global oral health gap. A narrative review was conducted for articles published between 2014 and 2025. Evidence was drawn from global initiatives, policy frameworks, and documented interventions addressing oral health, with a focus on sustainable and community-centered approaches. Global initiatives have advanced oral health policies, but top-down approaches alone are insufficient. Lasting improvement depends on community-centered, context-specific interventions, including evidence-based strategies like school programs, mid-level providers, and digital health tools. Integrating oral health into primary care and universal health coverage is essential, yet challenges such as funding gaps, service fragmentation, inequities, and weak political commitment remain. Public–private and intersectoral partnerships are key to overcoming these barriers and scaling effective solutions. This review emphasizes the need for robust monitoring systems, workforce development, and localized policy implementation guided by strong governance and advocacy. Future directions include leveraging artificial intelligence and tele-dentistry, addressing social determinants, and integrating oral health into broader health and development agendas. Achieving equitable global oral health requires a coordinated, evidence-driven, and community-engaged strategy supported by inclusive governance and sustained investment.