# Italian dental professionals advocate for oral health

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-dental-professionals-advocate-for-oral-health
> Updated: 2026-10-10T14:55:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

Dental professionals in Italy are advocating for increased focus on oral health prevention and improved access to care. The Associazione Igienisti Dentali Italiani (AIDI) launched a campaign to promote hygiene habits through community events in several cities. Experts at the XIII Mediterranean Odontostomatological Congress noted that 40% of Italians only seek dental care when in pain, highlighting that only 5% of National Health Service (SSN) resources are currently allocated to prevention.

To address these systemic issues, the Associazione Italiana Odontoiatri (AIO) has called for updates to the Essential Levels of Assistance (LEA) to ensure uniform care across regions, advocating for better funding and realistic tariffs. 

On National Dental Hygienist Day, the National Commission of the Dental Hygienists' Register further emphasized the connection between oral health and general well-being. Commission president Caterina Di Marco noted that a healthy mouth is vital for basic functions like eating and speaking, suggesting that university-trained hygienists play a strategic role in early disease detection as populations age.

## Claims

- Oral health is closely linked to the health of the entire organism. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Oral diseases affect nearly 3.7 billion people worldwide. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Untreated caries of permanent teeth is the most widespread health condition globally. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A healthy mouth allows for eating, speaking, socializing, and living without pain. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: Dental Hygienists emphasize link between oral and general health

On National Dental Hygienist Day, Italian health professionals emphasized that oral health is integral to overall well-being, noting that oral diseases affect 3.7 billion people globally.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dental-hygienists-emphasize-link-between-oral-and-general-health

### 2026-10-08: Italy dental professionals advocate for oral health prevention and care access

Italian dental associations are campaigning for improved oral health prevention and more equitable access to dental care within the National Health Service to reduce economic barriers to treatment.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-dental-professionals-call-for-improved-oral-healthcare-access

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Cite as: Italian dental professionals advocate for oral health. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-dental-professionals-advocate-for-oral-health