Spain Launches National Strategy to Boost Periodontal and Oral Health
SEPA Foundation introduces a national strategy to address periodontal health challenges and healthcare inequalities in Spain.
- • SEPA Foundation developed a national strategy aligned with WHO guidelines to improve periodontal health in Spain.
- • Key challenges include high prevalence of periodontal diseases and inequities in access to dental care.
- • The strategy is built on four pillars: analysis, promotion, integration, and equitable access.
- • Focus on prevention aims to reduce disease burden and improve quality of life, especially for vulnerable populations.
Key details
In a significant public health development, the SEPA Foundation has unveiled a comprehensive National Strategy for Periodontal Health Promotion in Spain. This initiative was introduced during the SEPA 2025 Congress in Barcelona (November 26-29) and aims to tailor the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Oral Health for the country's specific needs.
Joan Carles March, coordinator of the initiative and professor at the Andalusian School of Public Health, described the strategy as "valuable and timely," emphasizing its scientific basis and public health alignment. Dr. Ana Molina, a SEPA board member, highlighted persistent challenges in Spain including high rates of periodontal diseases and dental caries, as well as inequities in accessing dental care, especially among vulnerable groups.
The strategy is structured around four pillars: an epidemiological situation analysis to identify gaps in health and access, health promotion through education and community campaigns, integration of oral health into overall health services, and efforts to improve equity and access to dental care. This framework aims to coordinate actions, prioritize investments, and set measurable goals to reduce disease burden and enhance quality of life.
Spain faces particular difficulties due to its mixed healthcare system and significant disparities in dental service availability. Molina stressed the strategy's focus on prevention and early intervention as critical in reducing future complications and healthcare costs, especially for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
This national effort aligns with the WHO's emphasis that oral health is an integral part of general health, affecting more than 3.5 billion people worldwide. While still in early stages, the strategy has garnered strong interest and aims to produce a consensus document guiding long-term policy and public health actions in Spain.
Overall, this new strategy represents a concerted, evidence-driven approach to tackle longstanding oral health challenges in Spain, improving access, equity, and quality of care for the population.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.