The Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe has put forward its recommendations for improving oral health across all Member States.

Presented at the Second European Oral Health Summit in Brussels, Platform representatives discussed ways to reduce the economic and social burden of poor oral health in Europe, and the impact of oral diseases on quality of life.

Presenting the conclusions and recommendations, the Platform believes that:

  • Cost effective oral health prevention and promotion can pay big dividends

  • All Member states should work together and collaborate on promoting oral health

  • Oral health needs to be mainstreamed in all European and national policies

  • There is need to establish a Europe-wide framework for a common risk factor approach.

The collection contains 28 examples of good practices on oral health prevention and promotion programmes from across Europe, which the Platform sees as possible solutions for reducing the burden of oral diseases and oral health inequalities both within and between Member States.

Dr Paula Vassallo, Chair of the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe, said: 'We need to devise a plan for joint action on oral health, or put in place a mechanism for sharing best practices between Member States.

'If we can establish a European wide framework for common risk factor management, in line with a European communication strategy, I firmly believe we can make great strides in tackling totally preventable dental disease.

'We are not calling on Member States to reinvent the wheel. However we urge them to take on these examples of best practice, adapt them where necessary to their country and add value. Strategies have and are working elsewhere, so use them.'