Catania hosts Mediterranean congress on dental prevention and care

The XIII Mediterranean Odontostomatological Congress was held in Catania, focusing on the challenges of dental prevention and the accessibility of oral healthcare in Italy. Discussions highlighted that four out of ten Italians only visit a dentist when experiencing pain, often due to economic constraints.

Experts at the congress emphasized the need to shift focus from reactive treatment to prevention. Marcello Gemmato, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Health, noted that currently, 95% of National Health Service resources are allocated to treatment, while only 5% are dedicated to prevention. Leaders called for a stronger alliance between the government and health professionals to improve early diagnosis and sustainability.