As part of its commitment to strengthening collaboration between academia and the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF), the Spanish Chapter launched a national initiative to establish closer links with all dental schools across Spain. The main objective was to increase awareness of both the Global ACFF and its Spanish Chapter within the academic community, while fostering closer communication and promoting the dissemination of initiatives, educational resources and best practices related to the prevention and management of dental caries.
By building stronger partnerships with universities, the Spanish Chapter aims to create greater synergy between academic institutions and the ACFF, recognising the essential role that dental schools play in educating the next generation of oral health professionals. Through this collaboration, we hope to contribute to a modern, evidence-based approach to cariology and to better prepare future dentists to address the current and emerging challenges posed by dental caries.
Between January and February 2026, the Spanish Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) contacted all Spanish universities currently offering a Degree in Dentistry. Two documents were sent to the senior academic leaders of 31 dental schools, including Deans, Programme Directors and Heads of Department.
The first document was an introductory letter presenting both the Global Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future and its Spanish Chapter.
The second was an Institutional Statement of Support, outlining the purpose and scope of the collaboration, the commitments of both parties, and including a signature template to be completed and signed by the authorised representatives of the Faculty and the Spanish Chapter of the ACFF.
To date, 18 of the 31 faculties have responded. Of these, 17 have formally accepted the invitation and signed the Institutional Statement of Support through the highest academic authority responsible for Dentistry within their institution, while one faculty decided not to join the initiative.
Among the 17 participating faculties, nine are public universities and eight are private institutions, demonstrating a balanced level of engagement across both sectors.
The faculties that have formally joined the Spanish Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future are listed below:
Since the beginning of 2026, members of the Spanish Chapter also held two online working meetings to design, coordinate and implement this initiative. These meetings provided an opportunity to agree on the strategy, review progress and coordinate the actions required to strengthen collaboration with Spanish dental schools.
Both documents used to engage these dental schools have now been translated into English and Teresa Almerich-Torres, Chairperson of the Spain Chapter, would be pleased to share them with other ACFF Chapters to strengthen their own collaborations.
Please contact ACFF Global in the first instance, if you’d like to view the documents (for ACFF Chapter use) or discuss the work of the Spain Chapter further.
