A Review and Appraisal of Saudi Arabia’s Health and Oral Health Strategies

Abstract

Abstract Background: Oral health is a critical component of overall health, yet oral diseases like dental caries and periodontal diseases remain prevalent globally, including in Saudi Arabia. Despite their preventability, these conditions contribute significantly to the disease burden. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to reform healthcare, including oral health, aligning with global health initiatives such as the WHO's Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030). Aims: This study aims to review and evaluate Saudi Arabia's health and oral health strategies, assessing their design, implementation, and alignment with global health policies. The goal is to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for enhancing policy effectiveness within the context of Vision 2030. Methods: The study employs the Health Policy Triangle (HPT) framework to analyse key health policies in Saudi Arabia. Document analysis was used to systematically identify and evaluate relevant policies, focusing on the interaction between policy content, context, processes, and actors. Results: The analysis revealed that Saudi Arabia has made strides in aligning its health policies with global standards, particularly in tobacco control, sugar taxation, and water fluoridation. However, gaps still need to be in fully integrating oral health into primary healthcare and in systematically evaluating these policies. Conclusion: While progress has been made, Saudi Arabia's health policies would benefit from a more integrated and comprehensive approach to oral health. Enhancing policy coherence, improving access to care, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms are crucial for aligning with global health standards and achieving Vision 2030's objectives. Future efforts should focus on bridging identified gaps and fostering innovation through public-private partnerships to improve oral health outcomes in the Kingdom.