A new white paper published on September 3, 2026, by the European Federation of Periodontology and the European Association of Dental Public Health calls for integrating oral healthcare into general healthcare to address systemic diseases affecting 3.5 billion people worldwide. Launched at the Oral Health Research Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, the document outlines strategies for clinicians and policymakers to bridge the gap between dental and medical practice.
The Connection Between Oral and Systemic Health
Oral diseases share critical modifiable risk factors with major non-communicable diseases, according to the joint working group. Free sugar, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption contribute heavily to both dental decay and systemic illnesses. Inadequate oral hygiene acts as an additional oral-specific risk factor.
Among oral conditions, periodontitis currently has the strongest documented interaction with overall health. Treating gum inflammation improves glycaemic control in diabetes patients, alongside measurable improvements in inflammatory and vascular surrogate markers. However, evidence showing a direct effect on major clinical events remains limited.
“Oral health deserves a place within a more integrated approach to patient care,” said Moritz Kebschull, principal author of the paper and past president of the European Federation of Periodontology. “Greater awareness, appropriate screening and referral between dental and medical teams could make a meaningful difference to patients.”
Recommendations for Clinical Practice and Policy
The white paper—supported by Oral-B and published in the journal Periodontology 2000—advocates for a common risk factor approach. Instead of managing dental and systemic conditions in separate silos, health systems should embed oral health strategies within universal health coverage and broader non-communicable disease frameworks.
The publication was developed following a working group meeting held in January 2026 in Frankfurt. Experts in periodontology, dental public health, epidemiology, and prevention collaborated with public-health stakeholders and medical representatives to draft the consensus recommendations.
“Oral health policy cannot sit apart from wider health policy,” said Mia Rakić, president of the European Federation of Periodontology. “This white paper provides policymakers with an evidence-based framework for coordinated action across professions and sectors.”
Education and Inequality Reduction Priorities
Beyond clinical settings, the guidance targets professional education and socioeconomic disparities. The authors recommend incorporating oral health, prevention, and interprofessional collaboration directly into the training curricula for medical, dental, and social-care professionals.
Reducing health inequalities is another core priority outlined in the text. Policymakers must implement interventions that address avoidable differences in care access across various socioeconomic groups, life stages, and vulnerable populations.
Implementing these changes requires sustained collaboration between dental and medical professionals, public-health authorities, educators, and patient communities.