Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health
Current, globally accepted definitions of oral health emphasize pain-free functionality, expressive capacity, and specific psychosocial dimensions that contribute to self-confidence, well-being, and societal participation. However, these definitions inadvertently exclude diverse lived experiences by...
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| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oral Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1543770/full |
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| author | Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Nicaise Ndembi Nicaise Ndembi Olunike Rebecca Abodunrin Bridget Haire |
| author_facet | Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Nicaise Ndembi Nicaise Ndembi Olunike Rebecca Abodunrin Bridget Haire |
| author_sort | Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Current, globally accepted definitions of oral health emphasize pain-free functionality, expressive capacity, and specific psychosocial dimensions that contribute to self-confidence, well-being, and societal participation. However, these definitions inadvertently exclude diverse lived experiences by framing oral health solely through a lens of “normal” functionality and absence of discomfort, failing to consider the ways in which oral health can be experienced uniquely by different individuals and communities. The narrow focus on “pain-free” oral health excludes valid aspects of sexual expression, which may involve consensual oral activities that some find pleasurable even if associated with discomfort. This manuscript examines the limitations of the WHO and FDI definitions of oral health, critiques their exclusion of minority perspectives, and advocates for a more inclusive, holistic approach. Such an approach recognizes the complex and varied ways oral health intersects with identity, intimacy, and societal norms. Normalizing discussions on oral sexual health are essential to advancing a comprehensive understanding of well-being and reducing stigma around sexual minority experiences. Expanding oral health definitions to accommodate broader conceptions of intimacy and pleasure can enhance public health policy, clinical practice, and education, fostering a comprehensive understanding of well-being that reduces stigma around sexual minority experiences and further marginalization of sexual minorities in accessing inclusive care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c87861ba72ba4e68a2bdda0855ca1da1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-4842 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-c87861ba72ba4e68a2bdda0855ca1da12025-08-20T03:11:26ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oral Health2673-48422025-05-01610.3389/froh.2025.15437701543770Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral healthMoréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan0Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan1Nicaise Ndembi2Nicaise Ndembi3Olunike Rebecca Abodunrin4Bridget Haire5The Africa Oral Health Network (AFRONE), Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, NigeriaDirector General's Office, International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Africa Regional Office, Kigali, RwandaDivision of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United StatesDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaSchool of Population Health and Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCurrent, globally accepted definitions of oral health emphasize pain-free functionality, expressive capacity, and specific psychosocial dimensions that contribute to self-confidence, well-being, and societal participation. However, these definitions inadvertently exclude diverse lived experiences by framing oral health solely through a lens of “normal” functionality and absence of discomfort, failing to consider the ways in which oral health can be experienced uniquely by different individuals and communities. The narrow focus on “pain-free” oral health excludes valid aspects of sexual expression, which may involve consensual oral activities that some find pleasurable even if associated with discomfort. This manuscript examines the limitations of the WHO and FDI definitions of oral health, critiques their exclusion of minority perspectives, and advocates for a more inclusive, holistic approach. Such an approach recognizes the complex and varied ways oral health intersects with identity, intimacy, and societal norms. Normalizing discussions on oral sexual health are essential to advancing a comprehensive understanding of well-being and reducing stigma around sexual minority experiences. Expanding oral health definitions to accommodate broader conceptions of intimacy and pleasure can enhance public health policy, clinical practice, and education, fostering a comprehensive understanding of well-being that reduces stigma around sexual minority experiences and further marginalization of sexual minorities in accessing inclusive care.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1543770/fullsexual behaviorpsychosocial factorsself-concepthealth equityhealth policyhealth disparities |
| spellingShingle | Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Nicaise Ndembi Nicaise Ndembi Olunike Rebecca Abodunrin Bridget Haire Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health Frontiers in Oral Health sexual behavior psychosocial factors self-concept health equity health policy health disparities |
| title | Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health |
| title_full | Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health |
| title_fullStr | Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health |
| title_short | Redefine oral health: a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health |
| title_sort | redefine oral health a call for inclusivity in the concept of oral health |
| topic | sexual behavior psychosocial factors self-concept health equity health policy health disparities |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1543770/full |
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