On April 10, 2024, the Peruvian Oral Health Indicator Database was officially launched, introducing an innovative tool designed to enhance the management and monitoring of the oral health of the Peruvian population. This groundbreaking resource was developed by the Public Health and Stomatological Management Research Unit of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), a leading institution in medical and health sciences education and research in Peru.
The dashboard presents the main oral health indicators of Peru in a graphic and didactic manner, utilizing data from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) from 2013 to the present. This comprehensive approach ensures that users can access a wealth of information that tracks changes and trends in oral health indicators over time.
The presentation was delivered by Dr. Carol Guarnizo Herreño, a professor at the National University of Colombia and Co-president of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health. Dr. Guarnizo Herreño emphasized the significance of this tool in improving planning and decision-making in the field of oral health. The first version of the dashboard provides detailed information on the oral health status of children under 12 years old and adults over 60 years old. Through various visualizations, it highlights the changes and trends in oral health indicators at local, regional, and national levels, making it a valuable management tool for informed decision-making and effective monitoring.
The “Peruvian Oral Health Indicator Database” is not only aimed at health professionals and academics but also at any citizen interested in understanding the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being. This initiative marks a significant milestone in UPCH’s efforts to improve oral health in Peru, offering a publicly accessible resource to develop and implement policies and programs that promote oral health and enhance the quality of life for all Peruvians.