#27 | WHO Calls for Environmentally Friendly and Less Invasive Oral Health Care

In this episode of the GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal, we examine a new World Health Organization guideline calling for a global shift toward environmentally friendly, less invasive and more affordable oral health care.Dental diseases, particularly dental caries (tooth decay), remain among the most common health conditions worldwide. WHO estimates that billions of people are affected by oral diseases, which often remain untreated and place a major burden on health systems.The new WHO guidance provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing and managing dental caries using minimally invasive approaches and mercury-free dental materials. These strategies aim to improve patient outcomes while also reducing the environmental impact of dental care. For decades, dental amalgam containing mercury has been widely used in restorative dentistry. However, concerns about environmental pollution and mercury exposure have led to global efforts to phase down the use of mercury-based dental materials and promote safer alternatives. The new WHO recommendations encourage countries to adopt oral health strategies that emphasize prevention, early detection and minimally invasive treatment options.Key themes discussed in this episode include:• The global burden of oral diseases• Minimally invasive approaches to managing dental caries• Mercury-free dental materials and environmental sustainability• Integrating oral health care into primary health care systems• The role of prevention in reducing global oral health inequalitiesThe WHO emphasizes that shifting toward preventive, patient-centred and environmentally sustainable oral health systems will help expand access to care while supporting broader global goals related to environmental protection and universal health coverage.Original WHO source discussed in this episode:https://www.who.int/news/item/03-03-2026-who-calls-for-a-global-shift-to-environmentally-friendly--less-invasive-and-affordable-oral-health-careThe GMJ Podcast accompanies peer-reviewed publications and global health policy discussions published in the Georgian Medical Journal.Journal website:https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/index#გიორგიფხაკაძე #drpkhakadze #sheniekimi