Global Leaders Unite at Mouth Matters 2 Placing Civil Society at the Center of Oral Health
Jamie Pirowskin
NEW YORK, NY – The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders (AOHAB), in collaboration with NYU College of Dentistry and the Public Health Foundation of India, brought together global health leaders, civil society advocates, clinicians, and researchers for Mouth Matters 2: Bringing Civil Society at the Center of Global Oral Health, held September 18, 2026, alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Building on the momentum of its inaugural event, this innovative convening explored how civil society can be more effectively connected with global oral health leaders, researchers, and policymakers to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and advance meaningful policy reform toward Oral Health for All.
With a shared commitment to breaking down traditional silos and placing civil society at the center of universal health coverage and policy reform, participants explored innovative approaches to advancing oral health through country-level insights from Brazil, Thailand, and Canada. These discussions were followed by collaborative working sessions focused on four key pillars: Access Without Hardship, Oral Health in All Policies, Integration Beyond Dentistry, and Civil Society Leadership & Accountability. Together, the sessions underscored the importance of integrating oral health into the broader global health agenda and empowering civil society to play an active role in shaping its future.
AOHAB members played a significant role in advancing the day’s discussions, including Dr. Deborah Weisfuse, AOHAB President; Dr. Fernando Hugo, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion at NYU College of Dentistry; Dr. David Fray, Professor at UT Health; and Dr. Peter Mossey, Head of the University of Dundee School of Dentistry. Their contributions, alongside those of distinguished international experts, highlighted the importance of connecting scientific research, clinical expertise, and public health leadership with civil society engagement.
“The key takeaway from our day is that effective public health promotion requires connecting scientific knowledge with coordinated social action and supportive public policy,” said Dr. Weisfuse. “I was honored to work on this complex agenda with our talented organizing committee, composed of Dr. Kiran Nagdeo of NYU School of Global Public Health and AOHAB; Dr. Monika Arora of the Public Health Foundation of India; and Dr. Fernando Hugo of NYU College of Dentistry.”
The impact of the event was also reflected in the enthusiastic response of attendees. “I left feeling energized, inspired, and even more determined to advocate for greater awareness and support of programs in this important area of public health,” said Lorna Flamer-Caldera, DDS, FAGD, FACD, FICD, General Chair of the Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) for 2026 and 2027. “Mouth Matters 2 brought together an impressive group of educators, researchers, clinicians, and other multi-skilled professionals, all united by a mission with such important global reach and public health impact.”
The convening also highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing global oral health. Colgate, a major sponsor of AOHAB, continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving oral health worldwide through its support of education, research, and collaborative initiatives. Colgate’s participation included Dr. Maria Ryan, Chief Clinical Officer of Colgate-Palmolive, who delivered a distinguished talk, and Dr. Matilde Hernandez, Global Senior Director of Professional Engagement & Scientific Affairs, who contributed to the civil society plenary discussion. Their engagement reinforced the value of bringing together industry, academia, and civil society around shared global health priorities.
A Critical Call to Global Action: Dr. Steve Perlman Advocates for an End to Infant Oral Mutilation
Dr. Steve Perlman, a longtime international advocate for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, brought attention to infant oral mutilation (IOM), a harmful traditional practice in parts of East and Central Africa involving the removal of developing primary teeth, often resulting in severe infections, permanent injury, and even death.
Perlman, whose global public health initiatives have conducted more than 300,000 screenings across over 100 countries, has advocated for ending IOM since approximately 2017, when he was introduced to Dr. Arthur Kemoli, Professor and Chair of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
At Mouth Matters 2, Perlman highlighted the 2019 Addis Ababa Declaration, signed by Chief Dental Officers representing seven East and Central African countries, establishing a goal to eliminate IOM by 2029. Representing the International Association for Disability and Oral Health (IADH), American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), and Project Accessible Oral Health (PAOH), he presented three formal letters of support urging coordinated action and called upon global health leaders to elevate the issue to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN).
Perlman’s appeal reinforced the mission of Mouth Matters 2 by demonstrating how civil society can bring overlooked public health and human-rights challenges to the forefront of international policy discussions.
While convenings spark ideas, meaningful change requires continued collaboration and engagement. Mouth Matters 2 provided an important forum for participants to discuss priorities, explore potential approaches, and identify opportunities for strengthening international action on oral health. Major topics included the potential development of targeted toolkits to help finance and health ministries consider integrating essential dental benefits into primary care networks; opportunities to strengthen cross-sector coalitions connecting noncommunicable disease (NCD) platforms, academic institutions, and grassroots advocates; and the concept of a Commitment Register that could help track and support actions pledged by participating organizations. Participants also explored the potential role of policy briefs and collaborative workstreams in sharing global experiences and advancing oral health worldwide.
Achieving universal oral health is not a once-a-year conversation. The discussions at Mouth Matters 2 underscored the importance of maintaining momentum beyond the convening and creating continued opportunities for civil society, academia, industry, policymakers, and other stakeholders to engage around global oral health priorities. Through Mouth Matters 2 and its broader work, AOHAB is committed to bringing diverse voices together, facilitating knowledge exchange, strengthening international relationships, and elevating oral health on the global health agenda.
AOHAB invites individuals, institutions, corporations, and philanthropic partners to become part of this important global effort. Whether through individual or institutional membership, corporate sponsorship, or philanthropic support, your involvement helps sustain AOHAB’s educational programs, international collaborations, and global oral health advocacy. By joining or sponsoring AOHAB, you become part of an international network of leaders and organizations committed to creating meaningful change in oral health worldwide. Together, we can strengthen our collective voice, expand our reach, and ensure that oral health remains a priority on the global health agenda.
AOHAB invites individuals, institutions, corporations, and philanthropic partners to become part of this important global effort. Whether through individual or institutional membership, corporate sponsorship, or philanthropic support, your involvement helps sustain AOHAB’s educational programs, international collaborations, and global oral health advocacy. By joining or sponsoring AOHAB, you become part of an international network of leaders and organizations committed to creating meaningful change in oral health worldwide. Together, we can strengthen our collective voice, expand our reach, and ensure that oral health remains a priority on the global health agenda.
Become an AOHAB member or sponsor today and help us turn collaboration into lasting global impact.