title: Oral health in Libya: addressing the future challenges.
abstract: Libya is a vast country situated in North Africa, having a relatively better functioning economy with a scanty population. This article is the first known attempt to review the current state of oral health care in Libya and to explore the present trends and future challenges. Libyan health system, oral health care, and human resources with the present status of dental education are reviewed comprehensively. A bibliographic study of oral health research and publications has been carried out. The results point toward a common indicator that oral health-related research is low. Strategies have to be developed to educate the medical and dental professionals, to update the current curriculum and enable the system to be competent in all aspects of oral health care management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Sebha University, Sebha, Libya; doctorsyedwali@yahoo.in.
authors.forename: Syed Wali
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Peeran
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha University, Sebha, Libya.
authors.forename: Omar Basheer
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Altaher
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthesis, Faculty of Dentistry, Jezan University, Jezan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Syed Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Peeran
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha University, Sebha, Libya.
authors.forename: Fatma Mojtaba
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Alsaid
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya.
authors.forename: Marei Hamed
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mugrabi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Sebha University, Sebha Libya.
authors.forename: Aisha Mojtaba
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials, Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha University, Sebha, Libya.
authors.forename: Abdulgader
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grain
mesh_terms: D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011050:Policy Making; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Libya; dental education; dental research; oral health; oral health care; oral health research