SPEECH BY PROFESSOR KENNETH MAK, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE SINGAPORE POPULATION ORAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM, 26 OCTOBER 2026

Clinical Associate Professor Goh Bee Tin, Chief Executive Officer, National Dental Centre Singapore,

Distinguished guests

Fellow colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

A very good morning to everyone.

1.                It is my honour to join you today at the Singapore Population Oral Health Symposium as we mark the pre-launch of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health Report. This is an important opportunity to rethink the future of oral health — in Singapore, regionally and globally. The theme of today's symposium, "From Chair to Community: Scaling Preventive Care", is apt and timely as we reshape healthcare prevention and population health.

Oral Health in Singapore

2.                 Oral health is an integral part of overall health and well-being. Over the years, Singapore has made significant progress in improving oral health through water fluoridation, the School Dental Service, public education, and accessible and affordable dental care. However, changing population demographics and needs require us to continually adapt and respond in our efforts to promote oral health.

3.                Singapore enjoys one of the highest life expectancies in the world, reflecting decades of sound public health policy and a healthcare system that has served our population well. But longevity alone does not tell the full story. Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2023 study, non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, accounted for over 80% of Singapore’s disease burden. Oral disorders are one of the more common non-communicable diseases in Singapore. In this context, oral health cannot be viewed in isolation from our broader public health challenges.

4.                The 2019 National Adult Oral Health Survey found that dental caries and periodontal disease remained prevalent. Three in four Singaporean adults had some form of periodontal disease, while one in three had untreated dental caries. These are not merely statistics — they have implications for our broader disease burden. The bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and Type 2 diabetes illustrates this. A local study showed undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes in 6.1% of patients with periodontal disease, while a further 7.7% had pre-diabetes. This highlights the role oral health professionals can play, not only in treating oral diseases, but also in supporting early detection and prevention of diabetes.

5.                The picture is even more concerning among our older population. The proportion of older adults retaining at least 21 functional teeth declined sharply with age. Among those aged 65 and above, only about 35% have 21 or more remaining natural teeth. Equally concerning is the belief that tooth loss is an inevitable part of ageing. This misconception may discourage people from adopting healthy lifestyle and habits, and care that could preserve their teeth.

6.                As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, oral health takes greater significance. Tooth loss is not merely a dental issue. It affects nutrition, contributes to sarcopenia and ultimately, the quality of life and the ability of our seniors to live independently.

7.                A recent study by the National Dental Centre Singapore and Duke-NUS Medical School reinforces this point. Compared with those who had no natural teeth, adults aged 60 with 20 to 32 natural teeth could expect more than five additional years of independent living and over three additional years without physical function limitations. This reinforces the importance of preserving oral health to preserve function, independence and quality of life as we age.

8.                These realities underscore why prevention must remain central to our broader national healthcare efforts. Through initiatives such as Healthier SG, we are encouraging healthier lifestyles, promoting early detection and intervention, as well as empowering Singaporeans to take greater ownership of their health.

9.                The National Dental Centre Singapore's Oral Health Movement 8020 supports this preventive approach. Its life-course programmes, spanning from infants to seniors, aim to encourage our population to retain at least 20 teeth at the age of 80 years. With appropriate preventive care and timely intervention, maintaining a healthy and functional dentition in older age is achievable for many Singaporeans.

Global Recognition of Oral Health as Public Health Priority

10.            I thank NDCS for organising today's symposium and for championing the pre-launch of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health Report. The Commission’s emphasis on prevention, health equity, integrated care and system transformation aligns closely with Singapore's healthcare transformation efforts. These priorities also reinforce an important principle: improving oral health requires co-ordinated action across government, healthcare professionals, community partners, and individuals.

11.            Our oral health professionals, researchers and educators have made tremendous strides in improving oral health outcomes of our population. The significance of oral health for holistic health and the need to help our ageing population maintain healthy smiles continue to be the impetus for the fraternity to champion efforts to bring oral health promotion to greater heights.

12.            I wish everyone a fruitful and inspiring symposium today and tomorrow. I hope the discussions will help us accelerate the shift towards prevention and population health, and extend preventive care beyond the dental chair into the community.

13.            So, thank you very much for the opportunity to join you today to share with you this short address, and I wish you a very educational and insightful symposium ahead. Thank you.