Following the 2024 Gum Health Day, which aims to inspire young people to take oral health seriously and prevent periodontitis, this year’s celebration aims to raise awareness more broadly.
Dr. Talli Chakalchi, coordinator of the 2025 Gum Health Day, said in an interview that this year’s slogan was chosen because it is positive, energetic and catchy. “We wanted a message that resonates with everyone,” she said.
She explained that “Great gums! Keep smiling!” links good periodontal health to self-esteem, confidence and quality of life.
“We want to make sure everyone, including patients, healthcare providers and policymakers, understands that gum disease is preventable and that early action plays a key role,” Dr. Chakalchi stressed.
To achieve this goal, Dr. Chakalchi said it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of gum health widely to promote preventive oral care and encourage policymakers to invest in this area.
Dr. Chakalchi said one of the biggest barriers to improving gum health is the public’s lack of knowledge. “Many people think that bleeding gums are normal or that dental implants don’t need the same care as natural teeth,” she explains.
Other challenges to overcome include poor awareness of the link between gum health and overall health, and limited access to dental care in some areas.
“[Gum Health Day] and its associated events are addressing these issues through education, awareness, and providing reliable, evidence-based information to professionals and the public,” Dr. Chakalchi says.
As part of Gum Health Day 2025, national periodontal societies have been involved to host educational workshops and raise awareness of gum health at local, national and international levels.
The European Federation of Periodontology has made new tools available to make it easier to disseminate information, including campaign communications tools.
“Oral health professionals are at the heart of this campaign. They have direct access to patients and can make a real difference,” said Dr. Chakalchi.
The European Federation of Periodontology has provided ready-to-use materials in multiple languages, as well as campaign promotion tools that allow practitioners to personalize visual content with the [‘Gum Health Day’] slogan and their own branding.”
Dentists and their teams can contribute in a variety of ways, including sharing educational content online, engaging with patients, using the official Gum Health Day 2025 hashtag to amplify the message, and organizing free screenings or information sessions in clinics and community centers.
“Even small actions like a post on Instagram can help raise awareness and encourage better gum health habits,” Dr. Chakalchi stressed.
Gum Health Day 2025 takes place in the same week as the 11th European Congress of Periodontology, and event organizers have teamed up with the Austrian Society of Periodontology to host a flagship event in the host city.
Free dental examinations will be offered on May 12 from 9am to 1pm local time in the gondolas of Vienna’s landmark Ferris Wheel and in the European Federation of Periodontology tent at Freudplatz 3 in front of Sigmund Freud University. More information on the initiative is available here.
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