World Dental Federation (FDI) Releases Decade-Long Data Report: 29.0% of Chinese Respondents Report Oral Appearance Affecting Job Interviews.

Source: Oral Health Observatory (OHO) Ten-Year Data: Evidence, Impact, and the Path Forward

DentalGoodNews｜July 17, 2026 - The World Dental Federation (FDI) released a report titled "Oral Health Observatory (OHO) Decade of Data: Evidence, Impact, and the Path Forward." This report aggregates real-world dental practice data from over 10,000 patients across more than 12 countries over the past decade, revealing the heavy burden of oral diseases on global health and their profound impact on daily life.

According to the report, the Oral Health Observatory (OHO) project was launched in 2014 with the aim of filling gaps in global oral health information through standardized data. The report shows that among the surveyed countries, patients commonly face issues such as oral pain, difficulty eating, and sleep disorders. In China, although 79% of patients brush their teeth more than twice a day, the rate of periodontal disease remains as high as 62.2%, and 88.6% of visiting patients lack dental insurance, leading many to seek treatment only in emergency situations.

Source: Oral Health Observatory (OHO) Ten-Year Data: Evidence, Impact, and the Path Forward

Data further indicates that oral diseases are causing significant socioeconomic costs. In China, 18.8% of working professionals have missed work due to oral problems, with an average absence of 4.3 days; 29.0% of respondents reported that the appearance of their teeth affected their job interviews. In terms of treatment gaps, for every tooth filled in China, there are still 1.2 untreated dental caries.

According to previous reports by DENTALGOODNEWS (Leading Dental Industry Media, DGN), the FDI has repeatedly called on global health systems to integrate oral health data into electronic health records to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and improve patient care outcomes. This report once again emphasizes the need to strengthen professional periodontal care and align OHO data with national health information systems to support evidence-based decision-making and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The FDI stated in the report that, in the future, the OHO project will focus on expanding participation and enhancing the capacity of national dental associations to translate data into policy actions.