CMSR calls for the inclusion of oral health in the education curriculum

The Romanian College of Dentists (CMSR) requests the Ministry of Education and Research to include oral health and the prevention of dental diseases in the health education curriculum for high school students, in the context of the curricular reform for high school education. According to an information from CMSR, the approach takes place within the curriculum reform process and the preparation of a component dedicated to health education.

• Approach started in 2024

The initiative represents the continuation of the steps started by CMSR in September 2024, when the College proposed to the Ministry of Education the inclusion of oral health in the theme of the "School Otherwise" program. According to the quoted source, the 2024 initiative benefited from the support of the Office of the World Health Organization in Romania and the Romanian College of Doctors. CMSR argues the need to strengthen education for oral health through the data of the National Study on the state of oral health of Romanians. According to the results cited by the organization, 66.3% of children and adolescents up to the age of 17 have dental caries, while 35.2% have bleeding gums and 29.2% experience dento-maxillary abnormalities.

• Emphasis on prevention

"The integration of oral health into a broader approach to health education can be an approach with a real impact on prevention and on the formation of a generation that is better informed and more responsible in terms of their own health. Health education must provide young people with the necessary tools to prevent, not just the information they need when the problems are already installed," says Dr. Florin Lăzărescu, CMSR president. The Romanian College of Dentists supports, through this initiative, the integration of oral health education and prevention in public policies aimed at children and young people. According to CMSR, including these elements in school curricula would continue the organization's initiatives dedicated to strengthening oral health prevention and education.