Abstract
We note with interest the outstanding review by Lee and Divaris (2013) on the challenges of reducing oral health disparities. We thank the authors for this contribution, which captures in a concise and authoritative summary many issues around this increasingly high-profile topic.
The authors emphasize the need for upstream approaches to reduce global oral health inequalities (disparities). We certainly concur with their analysis and strongly endorse their insightful and timely recommendations. Indeed, all that they assert is encompassed within the International Association for Dental Research Global Oral Health Inequalities (IADR-GOHIRA®) Research Agenda Call to Action, published in the Journal of Dental Research just nine months ago (Sgan Cohen et al., 2013). While Lee and Divaris do, in the online-only Appendix to their article, acknowledge IADR-GOHIRA, we write to emphasize how strongly the newly formed IADR-Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network [IADR-GOHIRN] is committed to actualizing the IADR-GOHIRA action plan and thus Lee and Divaris’ own propositions and recommendations. It is to be hoped that members drawn from all the disciplines that comprise the oral health and global health communities will follow these leads and become actively involved in this immensely important initiative. The goal of reducing oral health inequalities is an enormous challenge and will be achieved only by disciplines and interest groups acting in collaborative inter-sectoral groups or networks.
To achieve this goal, GOHIRN is committed to inclusive action that will focus future research effort, harness existing research activities and networks, and build capacity for research leading to reduction of oral health inequalities on a global scale.
Footnotes
The authors received no financial support and declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.