European Declaration on Oral Health

Following a series of focussed steps with key European stakeholders, we are excited to announce that a new European Declaration on Oral Health will be launched in Athens, Greece on 12th May 2026.

This is an initiative by the ACFF European Evidence into Policy Programme – working with a range of European Organisations, all keen to advocate strongly to ensure that in the changing and evolving policy environment, Oral Health (including specifically Dental Caries Prevention and Management) are visible as a funded and sustainable part of both UHC (Universal Health Coverage) and NCD (Noncommunicable Diseases) Policies in Europe.

Plans for the launch events are well underway, and ACFF Global will be joined by supporting partners from key global and European oral/public health organisations as well as the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council.

The Declaration will drive forward Europe-focused efforts to put the mouth back in the body and make clear that oral health is a human right, not a privilege.

Check back here for further details, as they’re announced.

How did we prepare the Declaration?

November 2024

The ACFF European Evidence into Policy Programme formed following discussions held at the first-ever WHO Global Oral Health Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand. It was launched to crystallize effective ways to advocate across Europe for implementing the well-developed WHO Bangkok Declaration on Oral Health agenda through taking forward the WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan with as many stakeholders as possible. Additionally, the Programme works to identify other priority areas: such as the the United Nations Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) (November 2025), the first WHO guideline on Oral Health – Environmentally Friendly and Less Invasive Caries Care (March 2026) and draw much needed attention to Oral Health being an integral part of Health, with an aim to make this clearer across policy, public health and the wider health professions.

Translating Research into Policy Special Interest Group meeting held at the EADPH Congress and after hearing an excellent update on Oral Health, NCDs and UHC from Dr Benoit Varenne of the WHO, Programme partners met to discuss possible next steps to deliver the broader Advocacy on Oral Health now urgently needed across Europe.

September 2025

November 2025

ACFF and Programme partners prepared a working draft of a new European Oral Health Declaration, with input from international officials.

ACFF welcomed key international stakeholders and organisation representatives to London, UK for a Declaration brainstorming event, to consider the draft Declaration and its implementation opportunities. Review partners included expert oral and public health voices.

January 2026

February 2026

ACFF shared an updated draft Declaration following January’s brainstorm with existing partners and the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council – an engaged group of leading European oral and public health organisations, for final feedback.

Declaration to be launched in Athens, Greece alongside key global and European oral/public health organisations as well as the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council.

May 2026