Standards Development

Scope

This document presents guidelines to wellbeing for healthy ageing in the context of community-based oral health programmes for community members based on the framework presented in ISO 25554. This document is applicable to communities and their members that take action to improve and maintain oral health for continuous promotion of wellbeing.

This document is applicable to any community, regardless of size, type and nature. Management of occupational safety and health is outside of the scope of this document. This document does not cover economic and financial aspects.

Purpose

The primary aim of this proposal is to enhance the overall wellbeing and healthy ageing in communities through the promotion of oral health, based on the ISO 25554:2024 "Ageing societies - Guidelines for promoting wellbeing in communities".

 As the population ages, it is becoming increasingly important for all communities, regardless of their nature, to promote wellbeing. In order to realize and promote physical, psychological and social wellbeing throughout the lifetime, it is essential to improve and maintain optimal oral health at each stage of life. This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for community members and their caregivers/care workers to take action with the aim of improving and maintaining the oral health of the community members.

Is there a verified market need for the proposal? Yes. There is a significant and growing need especially in ageing societies. Currently, 3.5 billion people in the world suffer from oral health problems that lead to issues in overall health as well as physical, psychological, social, and financial burdens, and it is estimated to increase with ageing populations. This standard can be used to improve wellbeing in various communities, such as enterprises, municipalities, care facilities and other types of organizations.

What problem does this document solve? WHO (the World Health Assembly Resolution on oral health (WHA 74.5)) has called for an increase in efforts to encourage people to preventative practice relating to oral health, but there is currently no global guideline for preventive oral health approach by communities. Therefore, by developing this document as a guidance, the initiatives that encourage people to practice preventive activities will be promoted. Eventually, this document will contribute to the extension of healthy life expectancy, activation of the organization, as well as to the reduction of economic loss and health inequalities due to the oral health problems.

What value will the document bring to end-users? The adoption of this standard will enable communities to foster a healthier and more supportive environment for their members (end-users). It will help improve individual oral health, which is integral to overall health and wellbeing.