Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe Attends 17th European Public Health (EPH) Conference 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal

The European Public Health (EPH) Conference brought together public health experts from across Europe. This year the event took place in Lisbon, Portugal, representing an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of oral health as a key public health issue.

We were pleased to see the Oral Health and Global Health sections of EUPHA join forces to explore the role civil society plays in implementing the WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan. The session was an inspiring reminder of the importance of advocating for fair access to oral healthcare and raising awareness about its significance.

A key moment for us was our Chair’s, Dr Dympna Kavanagh, presentation of the Platform’s manifesto. This document lays out our vision for tackling inequalities in oral health and strives to ensure that oral health is treated as an essential part of public health policy across Europe. Additionally, our Chair highlighted the importance of our involvement in the Bangkok meeting and anticipated outcomes, such as fostering collaboration between Member States and civil societies.

The main takeaway drawn from the Conference is that oral health should be prioritised as an essential part of overall health, guiding the actions of civil society. The session reinforced the need for collaboration among governments, NGOs, researchers, and civil society to drive meaningful progress. Achieving better oral health outcomes depends on everyone working together to shape effective policies and create sustainable solutions.

We left the conference feeling more determined than ever to continue our work advocating for better oral health for all.