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Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe

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Following a series of focused engagements with key European stakeholders, the Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe was formally launched and signed in Athens on 12th May 2026.

Convened by the ACFF European Evidence into Policy Programme and supported by Colgate-Palmolive, the launch took place at the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, followed by a symposium hosted by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Dentistry. The events brought together leading European and international oral and public health organisations, alongside members of the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council.

The Declaration translates World Health Organization oral health frameworks into a clear agenda for European action. It calls for oral health—including the prevention and effective management of dental caries—to be visible, adequately funded and sustainably embedded within Universal Health Coverage and Noncommunicable Disease policies across Europe.

At its heart, the Declaration seeks to put the mouth back in the body and reinforce a simple principle: oral health is a human right, not a privilege. ACFF is now working with European and global partners to support its implementation and drive coordinated action towards a cavity-free future for all.

The Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe

Read the Declaration

How did we prepare the Declaration?

  • November 2024

    The ACFF European Evidence into Policy Programme established to strengthen advocacy across Europe for implementing the WHO Bangkok Declaration and Global Oral Health Action Plan. It also promotes priority developments in NCD policy and less invasive, environmentally sustainable caries care, while reinforcing that oral health is an integral part of overall health.

  • September 2025

    Translating Research into Policy Special Interest Group meeting held at the EADPH Congress and after hearing an excellent update on Oral Health, NCDs and UHC from Dr Benoit Varenne of the WHO, Programme partners met to discuss possible next steps to deliver the broader Advocacy on Oral Health now urgently needed across Europe.

  • November 2025

    ACFF and Programme partners prepared a working draft of a new European Oral Health Declaration, with input from international officials. To maximise future implementation, the aim was to launch this new Declaration in Cyprus while the country held the EU Presidency – leading to the early adoption of the naming: The Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe.

  • January 2026

    ACFF welcomed key international stakeholders and organisation representatives to London, UK for a Declaration brainstorming event, to consider the draft Declaration and its implementation opportunities. Review partners included expert oral and public health voices from across Europe.

  • February 2026

    ACFF shared an updated draft Declaration following January’s brainstorm with existing partners and the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council – an engaged group of leading European oral and public health organisations, for final feedback.

  • March 2026

    The official Declaration launch, scheduled for World Oral Health Day and due to take place in Cyprus, is deferred then subsequently moved to Greece due to the developing regional conflict.

  • May 2026

    The Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe formally ratified in Athens by ACFF, leading global and European oral health organisations, and the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council. The launch at the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance was followed by a symposium at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Dentistry.

  • Implementation

    With the Declaration now ratified, the focus moves from commitment to implementation—working with partners to translate its principles into meaningful and sustainable policy action across Europe. This includes a Symposium at the FDI World Dental Congress 2026 titled: The Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe, ratified in Athens: learnings and opportunities.

Official Launch in Athens, Greece

Athens provided the setting for two significant events on 12th May 2026, marking the launch of the Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe. The day began with the formal signing of the Declaration at the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, bringing together senior representatives from across the oral and public health community.

Attention then moved to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Dentistry for a dedicated symposium exploring the Declaration’s purpose, policy relevance and future implementation. The programme created an important opportunity for European and international partners, including members of the ACFF Pan-European Collaborative Council, to strengthen relationships and build momentum around a shared agenda for oral health.

ACFF is grateful to Colgate-Palmolive for its support of the launch events, and extends its thanks to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and European University Cyprus for their important contributions to the development and delivery of the programme.

Representatives from the following organisations contributed to the launch of The Cyprus Declaration on Oral Health in Europe: World Health Organization (WHO), Hellenic Dental Association, The European Association of Dental Public Health (EADPH), The Council of European Chief Dental Officers (CECDO), The Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe (PBOHE), The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD), The Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), The European Dental Hygienists Federation (EDHF), The European Dental Students’ Association (EDSA), The European Public Health Association (EUPHA), The European Regional Branch of World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA Europe), The European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association (EURIPA), The European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC), The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), The European Association of Oral Medicine (EAOM), The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and esteemed speakers from academia.

Next Steps

With the Declaration now formally launched and signed, the next phase will focus on implementation – turning its shared commitments into coordinated and practical action across Europe. ACFF will work with partners to promote the Declaration, broaden awareness of its ambitions and encourage further organisations, institutions and individuals to endorse its principles.

This next stage will also support the translation of the Declaration into meaningful policy engagement, helping to strengthen the position of oral health within Universal Health Coverage and Noncommunicable Disease strategies. By expanding its network of endorsers and working collaboratively with European and global stakeholders, ACFF aims to build lasting momentum around the Declaration and support sustainable change in oral health policy and practice.

Endorsers