Oral health and sports report presented at international congress in Rome

The growing recognition of oral health as a key contributor to overall health and physical performance took centre stage at the International Congress on Oral Health (CISO), held in Rome on 26 June, where the report Winning margins: The impact of oral health on athlete performance was officially presented to an international audience.

The congress, organized by EFP partner Curasept to mark its 25th anniversary, brought together representatives from scientific societies, universities, healthcare institutions and policymakers to discuss the role of oral health in prevention and public health. During the event, leading Italian and international scientific organizations also signed the first Oral Health Manifesto, calling for greater integration of oral health into healthcare policies and chronic disease prevention.

Speaking at the congress, EFP president Mia Rakić emphasized the importance of translating scientific evidence into practical action.

"The evidence linking periodontal health with overall health and wellbeing is now well established. The challenge is to move beyond research and education and ensure this knowledge is reflected in health policies. Reports such as Winning margins help raise awareness beyond dentistry and create the momentum needed to engage policymakers. What makes this publication particularly valuable is its positive perspective: it shows not only how poor oral health affects people, but how good oral health can contribute to the maintenance of the healthy state and quality of wellbeing of healthy individuals."

Produced by Economist Enterprise, commissioned by the EFP and supported by Curasept, the report highlights the growing body of scientific evidence linking good oral health with improved athletic performance, recovery and overall wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on disease, it presents oral health as an opportunity to help healthy people perform at their best.

It also encourages sports organizations, healthcare professionals and policymakers to include oral health within athlete health programmes.

The event also showcased new evidence on the wider health and economic impact of oral diseases through an umbrella review led by Bocconi University, which analysed more than 100 international studies. The review concludes that integrating oral health into prevention strategies and chronic disease management can improve health outcomes while supporting more sustainable healthcare systems.

Stefano Giovannardi, president of Curasept, said: "Oral health is now widely recognized as an essential component of both individual health and collective well-being. The evidence shows that investing in prevention, education and early diagnosis improves clinical outcomes while also contributing to the sustainability of healthcare systems. This is why we promoted the International Congress on Oral Health and supported the creation of the Oral Health Manifesto: a shared commitment to fostering a new culture of prevention and strengthening the integration of oral health into the care pathways for chronic diseases."

The EFP welcomed the opportunity to present the report to an audience extending beyond the dental profession, reinforcing its commitment to promoting evidence-based prevention and advocating for greater recognition of oral health as an integral part of general health and wellbeing. Professor Rakić concluded: “In step with modern medicine, the EFP and the oral health community are determined to promote preventive strategies to keep people healthy, rather than treating diseases and complications.”

Read the report