In the second episode of Series 2 of Oral Health Matters, host Richard Watt, Professor of Dental Public Health at University College London, is joined by two global health experts to deconstruct the high-stakes political diplomacy behind the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

As global health priorities are increasingly dictated by geopolitical manoeuvring rather than scientific consensus, how do we ensure oral health isn't left behind? This episode provides an insider’s look at the "battlegrounds" of UN declarations - where even the placement of a comma is negotiated - and explores the fallout of the US and Argentina’s decision to block the initial declaration in September 2025. From the influence of commercial interests and "hidden" WhatsApp diplomacy to the rising leadership of lower- and middle-income countries, our guests discuss whether this new declaration is a definitive win or simply a tool for future accountability.

Our Guests:

• Dr. Taskeen Khan – Director of Research at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) and former global health expert at the WHO.
• Dr. Habib Benzian – Professor at the University of Sydney and the University of the Western Cape, and a leading figure in the Lancet Commission on Oral Health.

Oral Health Matters is produced by the Dental Public Health Group at UCL with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Follow the conversation by connecting with the Dental Public Health Group on LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram.

This is a Research Podcasts production.

In the opening episode of Series 2 of Oral Health Matters, host Richard Watt, Professor of Dental Public Health at University College London is joined by two global leaders in dental public health to navigate the complex and often volatile intersection of politics and healthcare.

As geopolitical landscapes shift toward populist agendas, what happens to the world's most vulnerable populations? This episode provides a critical look at how recent political changes in the US and the Global South are directly impacting oral health funding, research, and equity. From the removal of DEI programming in American universities to the withdrawal of major international health funding in South Africa, our guests explore whether this era of "chaos and uncertainty" can be a catalyst for new, innovative models of global collaboration.

Our Guests:
Dr. Bob Weyant - Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, USA, and a seasoned policy advocate.

Dr. Khabiso Ramphoma - Associate Professor at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, and a rising leader in global oral health research.

Oral Health Matters is produced by the Dental Public Health Group at UCL with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Follow the conversation by connecting with the Dental Public Health Group on LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram.

This is a Research Podcasts production.

Episode Credits

Presenter: Richard Watt, UCL

Guests: Bob Weyant, University of Pittsburgh and Khabiso Ramphoma, University of the Western Cape in South Africa

Producer: Catherine McDonald, Research Podcasts

Editor: Anton Jarvis, Research Podcasts

Music: The Documentary, Mapamusic

Oral Health Matters is a podcast from the Dental Public Health Group at UCL and presented by eminent dental public health expert Professor Richard Watt.

We’ll be in conversation with researchers, policymakers and activists from around the world who are working to better understand the causes and consequences of oral diseases and to identify possible policy solutions to improve oral health.

So if you're a policy maker, clinician researcher, or member of a community who wants to know more about why oral health matters and what interventions and policies might make a difference, please follow us wherever you find your podcasts.

Oral Health Matters is produced by the Dental Public Health Group at UCL, with support from Research Podcasts and funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research.