Gum Health Day 2026 inspires action across Europe

In the United Kingdom, the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP) launched a national competition encouraging dental teams to create short videos promoting gum health or showcasing community projects. The initiative aimed to recognize innovative efforts to educate patients and raise public awareness.

The Romanian Society of Periodontology organized a hands-on educational course for general dentists, focusing on the new classification of periodontal diseases and contemporary treatment pathways. The society also amplified Gum Health Day messages through its social media channels.

Activities focused on oral health literacy were hosted by the Croatian Society of Periodontology. They featured presentations on periodontal disease risk factors, including smoking, diet, physical inactivity, and patient awareness. A public event on Split’s waterfront engaged citizens of all ages. The local radio station reported on the event.

The Portuguese Society of Periodontology and Implants brought Gum Health Day directly to commuters at Trinidade Station in Porto, distributing oral hygiene kits and providing information on the importance of healthy gums. Events in Porto, Lisbon and Coimbra were featured in local media, including television.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch Society of Periodontology (NVVP) partnered with a military mobile dental clinic to offer free gum health checks and personalized advice in Den Bosch, making specialist periodontal expertise accessible to the public without referral or appointment.

The Lebanese Society of Periodontology demonstrated remarkable commitment to Gum Health Day through a combination of in-person awareness activities, social media outreach, and public engagement activities (including dental checkups). The campaign mobilized oral healthcare professionals, reflecting their determination to support the EFP’s mission of improving gum health.. 

Meanwhile, the German Society of Periodontology (DG PARO) marked the occasion through an educational webinar: "What does periodontitis have to do with heart and general health?", helping both professionals and the public better understand periodontal health and disease prevention.

The Lithuanian Society of Periodontology marked Gum Health Day through a dynamic social media campaign. Activities included a reel with oral health recommendations, the sharing of findings from a national survey on periodontal health awareness, and a series of videos for the public on periodontal topics. A social media contest offering a conference invitation further boosted visibility and engagement.

Other national societies also supported the campaign through active social media engagement, sharing prevention messages, educational content, and Gum Health Day resources with their communities.

These activities demonstrate the diversity and energy of the Gum Health Day movement. While the formats varied (from lectures and workshops to public outreach and online campaigns) the objective remained the same: helping people understand that healthy gums are an essential part of a healthy life.

“Gum Health Day is much more than a single day of awareness,” says Professor Spyros Vassilopoulos, EFP past president and chair of the communication and engagement committee. “Through our new three-year campaign, we want to empower people with the knowledge and motivation to take charge of their oral health. The creativity and commitment shown by our national societies this year demonstrate the strength of our collective movement and the growing recognition that gum health is fundamental to overall wellbeing.”

The EFP thanks all national societies, partners, oral health professionals, students, and volunteers who contributed to the success of Gum Health Day 2026 and helped bring the message of healthy gums to communities across Europe and beyond.

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