1. Oral Health System in Iraq
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2. Objectives
To conduct a SWOT analysis of the oral health system of Iraq
To provide a descriptive summary of the Oral Health profile of Iraq.
To identify the major dental public health problems encountered and select a priority area for action.
To develop an oral health strategy to cope with the problem

3. Strengths
Strengths
Provided by both public and private sector organisations.
Accessible in rural areas
Efficient oral healthcare system and high DMFT score when compared to neighbouring countries.

4. Weaknesses Weaknesses
Decline in the dental caries from DMFT of 4 to 1.5 in Iraqi people especially in 12-year old kids.
Rising problem of dental cavities is severe among kids
Unhealthy dietary habits and less use of fluoride and poor access to oral health services

5. Opportunities
To focus on taking preventive measures such as water fluoridation, using fluoridated dentifrices, reducing the frequency and the amount of sugar consumption
To provide oral health education to the Iraqi people, which is one of the key contributors for dental carriers’ reduction
There is a high need to focus on taking preventive measures such as water fluoridation, using fluoridated dentifrices, reducing the frequency and the amount of sugar consumption. Also, there is a dire need to provide oral health education to the Iraqi people, which is one of the key contributors for dental carriers’ reduction.

6. Threats
Sedentary life style and eating junk and unhealthy food items which are harmful for the teeth and the body
Lack of knowledge about rinsing their mouth after meals and using fluoride-based toothpaste among kids
The threats for the Iraqi Health System include:
Many people are engaged in 9-to-5 jobs and sit in front of computers for long hours, they tend to eat junk and unhealthy food items which are harmful for the teeth and the body.
People, particularly kids in the age group years have no knowledge about rinsing their mouth after meals and using fluoride-based toothpaste

7. ANALYSIS of the SWOT

8. Priority area for action
Priority area for action is Dental Caries

9. Oral health strategy
Goal of the oral health strategy: To take preventive and restorative efforts for the Iraqi oral health system
Objective of the oral health strategy: To take the concern of implementation of a community based oral health promotion programme
Target audience for the oral health strategy: The target audience for the oral health strategy is Iraqi kids in the age group of years.

10. Activities to be undertaken as per oral health strategy
Developing oral hygiene skills among kids, which include brushing teeth using fluoride toothpaste, flossing etc
Minimising the amount of sugar intake in form of desserts
To fluoridate the drinking water
To enhance the access to dental sealants
To increase the visits to dentist for regular oral health check-up
To prioritize precautions instead of cure
To improve the access of dental services for people in rural areas

11. Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that the dental caries is not a problem of Iraq only. Two key findings of the report are
More than 62% (approx.) of children In the Iraq are suffering from this disease.
The studies of World Health Organization have revealed that more than five billion people of the world have faced this problem.

12. References
Noori, A.J. and Al‐Obaidi, W.A., Traumatic dental injuries among primary school children in Sulaimani city, Iraq. Dental traumatology, 25(4), pp
Huew, R., Waterhouse, P.J., Moynihan, P.J. and Maguire, A., Prevalence and severity of dental caries in Libyan schoolchildren.International dental journal, 61(4), pp
Jamel, H., Plasschaert, A. and Sheiham, A., Dental caries experience and availability of sugars in Iraqi children before and after the United Nations sanctions. International dental journal, 54(1), pp