European Platform for Better Oral Health selects two best practices from Ivoren Kruis

12-11-2015

The European Platform for Better Oral Health has selected two prevention projects from the Ivory Cross as best practices for the promotion and prevention of oral health in Europe. The prevention projects initiated and developed by the Ivory Cross Keep your mouth healthy! and (h) Oud de mond healthy, the Platform chose best practices from the many submissions.

28 best practices
A total of 28 best practices were chosen from 14 EU countries. The projects concern pregnant women, children and young people, the elderly and disadvantaged groups. Best practices include programs for training professionals, prevention projects in education, integration of oral health into broader general health programs, health promotion, delivery of care, policy changes that promote better oral health, delivery of oral health care services and programs specifically aimed at reducing oral health inequalities. These are successful initiatives that can help prevent oral diseases, reduce social burdens and in turn reduce existing inequalities. All best practices are included www.oralhealthplatform.eu/our-work/best-practices/

Ivory Cross prevention projects
The national teaching project Keep your mouth healthy! has already reached 600,000 children through the more than 20,000 brushing lessons given by 3,000 volunteer dental care providers and 2,900 teachers at primary schools and playgroups since its introduction. Three quarters of dental care providers and 70% of teachers expect students to keep their mouth healthy after a Keep your mouth healthy! brushing lessons will brush their teeth better. 44% of respondents from dental care and 40% of respondents from education also expect that the education project Keep your mouth healthy! of the Ivory Cross will give an impetus to the students' dental visits.

(h) Oud de Mouth Healthy (Old the Mouth Healthy) can count on 300 volunteer dental care providers since its recent introduction. Ultimately, 500 volunteers will jointly train 5,000 caregivers about the oral health of the elderly in nursing and care homes. For both projects, elmex provides educational cleaning kits including toothpaste and toothbrushes. This makes the clinical lesson extra attractive for the volunteers and caregivers.

Platform for Better Oral Health
The European Platform for Better Oral Health aims to find shared solutions to improve oral health across the EU and reduce inequalities. To this end, the Platform collected a series of best practices, of which 28 were ultimately selected from 14 countries. Two initiatives are from the Ivory Cross. Policymakers and specialists gathered in Brussels on October 13 to emphasize the importance of oral health on overall health and well-being. Policymakers will commit to developing and financing policies that will improve the prevention of oral diseases and their treatment. The European Commission and the Member States want to stimulate a 'joint action' in the field of oral health, focusing on sharing best practices between the Member States. The aim is to maximize the effectiveness of oral healthcare budgets, reduce the negative economic impact of oral diseases and improve the quality of life for all EU citizens.