MEPs Launch Call to Action for Better Oral Health to Commissioner Dalli
– Broad Support to Improve Oral Health Prevention and Access to Dental
Care in
Dr Thomas Ulmer MEP and Dr Cristian Silviu Busoi MEP marked the 3rd
annual World Oral Health Day by issuing a Call to Action for Better Oral
Health in
Policy, challenging the European Union (EU) to make progress in combating
oral diseases and reducing the burden of oral health maintenance for all
citizens.
The Call has been signed by leading Members of the European Parliament
and is supported by the FDI World Dental Federation, the European Association
of Dental Public Health (EADPH), the Council of European Chief Dental
Officers (CECDO), the Association of Dental Education in
the Wrigley Oral Health Programs (WOHP).
“Oral health diseases are easily preventable,” Dr Ulmer MEP and Dr Busoi
MEP said in a written statement. “Today’s Call to Action is intended to spur
Commissioner Dalli and other EU leaders to support Member States in making
best use of the various routine, achievable oral health solutions that are
already in existence. These solutions include using fluoride-containing
toothpaste, flossing, chewing sugar-free gum and having regular dental
check-ups.”
Oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontal disease, affect a
broad segment of European citizens, with a disproportionate effect on those
from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background. “Every year, Europeans spend
more than
European adults currently have all their natural teeth. This imbalance needs
to be addressed.”
The aim of the Call to Action is to improve oral health in
comprehensive and cost-effective way. To achieve this goal, Dr Ulmer MEP and
Dr Busoi MEP call on the European Commission to:
- Make oral health a priority under the Community Health
Action programme;
- Address existing oral health inequalities as part of the
implementation of the corresponding EU Strategy[1];
- Provide funding for oral health and oral prevention research
under the Research Framework Programme-specifically funding for research
into effective strategies for more inclusionary dental care as well as
the development of innovative approaches to oral prevention.
1. Communication from the European Commission on “Solidarity in health:
reducing health inequalities in the EU”,
About Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs
For more than 25 years, Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs have supported
independent, clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum including
saliva stimulation, plaque inhibition and tooth strengthening to help oral
care professionals and their patients understand the role of sugar free gum
as a convenient tool for everyday oral care. Today, Wrigley operates oral
healthcare programs in 47 countries worldwide. The program helps promote
better oral healthcare by investing in supportive campaigns for the dental
team and the wider community. The FDI – World Dental Federation recognizes
that “chewing sugarfree gum is proven to benefit oral health”.
Find more information at http://www.wrigley.com
SOURCE Wrigley