The Oral Health Alliance (OHA)

The Oral Health Alliance was founded in 1992 by people concerned with improving oral health of deprived communities in industrialized and developing countries. They felt the need for better and continuing communication between oral health workers. The aim of the group is to form a network between people working in various countries, who want to exchange experiences and give support to each other in the planning and implementation of primary oral health care programmes. The OHA has been an Affiliate member of FDI since 1998. The first main outcome of their meetings and discussions was the formulation of the Berlin Oral Health Declaration. This Declaration recommends strategies for improving oral health and is based on principles directed at reducing inequities in oral health status and access to oral health care. This declaration is available free from Dr. Mautsch (for address see below). OHA publishes an occasional newsletter, which contains information about member activities and critical reviews of current concepts in relation to oral health issues. It supports members in searching for special literature and educational materials. While OHA is not able to finance projects on its own, it tries to inform members about financial support available from other organisations. The OHA network has extended to about 100 members. The coordination of OHA is by a steering committee with the following members: Dr. Walter Mautsch Dept.of Prosthodontics University of Aachen Pauwelsstr. 30 D-52074 Aachen Germany Tel.: +49 241 80 89538 Fax: +49 241 88 88410 Email: wmautsch@post.klinikum.rwth-aachen.de Prof. Aubrey Sheiham Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London 1-19, Torrington Place London WC1E 6BT Great Britain Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7391 1700 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7813 0280 Email: A.Sheiham@ucl.ac.uk Prof Martin H Hobdell Department of Health Promotion, Dental Branch University of Texas - Houston 6516, John Freeman Avenue Houston, Texas 77030-0068 USA Tel: +1 713 500 4022 Fax: +1 713 500 4100 Email: mhobdell@mail.db.uth.tmc.edu Dr. Murray Dickson 1520 Hilliard Street Saskatoon Sasketchewan S7J OG4 Canada Tel: +1 306 373 8019 Fax: + 1 306 966 5126 Email: dicksonm@duke.usask.ca