Goals for oral health in Germany 2020

Constant themes in the worldwide debate on public health policy are, on the one hand, the medical aspects, including those of social medicine, together with healthcare provision, and, on the other, considerations of health economics. Although it is essential for healthcare resources to be allocated appropriately, medical criteria should take precedence. One branch of research in the field of healthcare provision, the definition of health goals, is assuming increasing importance in this connection, in dentistry as in other spheres. In 1981, the FDI and the WHO jointly established the first 'Global Goals for Oral Health for the year 2000' and in 2004, drew up new goals for the year 2020. The FDI is thus allowing for the fact that not all recommendations are applicable equally to all countries and populations. Appropriate differentiation is important. This paper explores the transfer of the FDI goal initiative into a national context. On the basis of the FDl's 'Global Goals for Oral Health 2020', German academic dentistry and the dental profession have jointly drawn up new national 'Goals for Oral Health in Germany 2020'. Whereas the definition of goals used to be first and foremost tooth-related, it is now widened to include both disease-related aspects and the promotion of health and prophylaxis.