World Oral Health Day 2026

Towards universal health coverage through primary health care in the Western Pacific Region

Oral diseases are the most common noncommunicable diseases, affecting 960 million people in the Western Pacific Region and posting a major social and economic burden despite being largely preventable. Member States have adopted the Regional Implementation Plan to strengthen essential oral health care within primary health care (PHC) and universal health coverage (UHC). World Oral Health Day provides an important opportunity to highlight these commitments and promote regional action.

How can the Western Pacific Region accelerate progress on oral health toward achieving UHC?

Join us for regional updates, country experiences, and partner insights on delivering essential oral health care through the PHC approach.

The webinar will:

• Present the Western Pacific Regional Implementation Plan for Oral Health
• Highlight progress on integrating oral health in PHC
• Share country experiences from Cambodia, Tonga, Malaysia, and Solomon Islands
• Feature discussions with non-State actors and other United Nations (UN) organizations
• Explore opportunities to strengthen oral health within national UHC benefit packages

Programme 

Opening remarks

• Dr Huong Tran, Director, Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific 

Objectives of the webinar

• Dr Rolando Enrique Domingo, Coordinator, Noncommunicable Disease Unit, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Regional oral health implementation plan

• Dr Yuriko Harada, Noncommunicable Disease Unit, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Country experiences and Q&A

• Dr Seth Mana, Ministry of Health, Cambodia
• Dr Ellison Vane, Ministry of Health, Solomon Islands
• Dr Sisilia Fifita, Ministry of Health, Tonga
• Dr Fauziah binti Ahmad, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Partner roundtable and Q&A

• Professor Michelle Segarra, University of the Philippines 
• Dr Vasoontara S. Yiengprugsawan, Asian Development Bank
• Professor Hiroshi Ogawa, Secretariat of the Asian Chief Dental Officer Meeting

Closing remarks

• Dr Rolando Enrique Domingo, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific

After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar.