Israel’s oral health policy in reflection of the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan (2020–2023)

Abstract

Abstract Background Oral diseases are among the most prevalent non-communicable conditions worldwide, contributing to significant health burdens and disparities. In response, the World Health Organization established the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030, urging countries to integrate oral health into universal health coverage and adopt comprehensive prevention strategies. This article examines Israel’s alignment with these objectives. Main Body Over the past 15 years, Israel has advanced oral health within Universal Health Coverage by integrating dental services into the National Health Insurance Law and progressively expanding public financing to children and the elderly, while maintaining coverage for special patient groups. Children and the elderly now account for over 40% of those eligible for publicly funded dental care. Prevention is central to policy. National school and mother-and-child health programs provide supervised toothbrushing, fluoride varnish applications, and oral health education, reaching nearly all children in recognized educational settings. Multidisciplinary primary care models link dental professionals with nurses and pediatric providers to deliver coordinated, life-course services, while strengthening the oral health workforce. Additional system measures include front-of-pack sugar warning labels, a national policy to phase down dental amalgam use, and ongoing efforts to establish a unified digital surveillance system for oral health. Together, expanded coverage, prevention-focused delivery, workforce development, and system strengthening position oral health as an integral component of Universal Health Coverage in Israel. Conclusion Israel has made considerable progress in aligning with the Global Oral Health Action Plan, particularly by expanding coverage and preventive interventions for children and the elderly. However, continued efforts are needed to address remaining gaps in adult coverage, strengthen the capacity and distribution of the oral health workforce, and further integrate oral health care into innovative, multidisciplinary models. Systematic surveillance systems are also needed to accurately track disease burden and ensure equitable outcomes across all population groups.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 2026 · DOI ↗