Growing burden of noncommunicable diseases: the contributory role of oral diseases, Eastern Mediterranean Region perspective

Associations of oral diseases with noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes,cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, osteoporosis and chronic renal failure are widelyreported in the literature from developed countries. Commonality of risk factors, changes in systemicinflammatory mediators and body metabolism play a role in this association. This paper reviews currentknowledge on the burden and association of oral and systemic diseases, and highlights the paucity ofinformation and research from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and other developing countries. Acall is made for further research to understand the status and significance of oral–systemic diseaseassociations and develop guidelines for their control in this Region.