Integrating oral health prevention into communitybased services: two Italian experiences

Purpose: To describe two community-based oral health prevention initiatives implemented in Italy and to illustrate how oral health promotion can be integrated into primary care and municipal services in line with World Health Organization (WHO) strategies for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and health equity. Methods: This practice brief reports two descriptive experiences: (1) an oral health promotion program implemented within the Case della Comunità of ASST Valle Olona, where dental hygienists provide free, non-clinical oral health counseling as part of multidisciplinary primary care teams; and (2) a school-based oral health education initiative promoted by a municipality in Northern Italy in collaboration with primary schools and dental professionals. The initiatives are described based on program documentation and professional experience rather than on formal outcome evaluation. Findings: Both initiatives demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost, equity-oriented oral health prevention in community settings. The Case della Comunità program reached more than 200 individuals within the first three months of implementation and targeted different life stages. The school-based initiative ensured universal access to oral health education and promoted preventive behaviors through the involvement of children, educators, and caregivers. Outcome data are not yet available; planned monitoring includes behavioral indicators and basic clinical indices. Conclusion: Integrating oral health prevention into community-based services is feasible and policy-relevant. These experiences provide actionable examples for strengthening prevention, reducing oral health inequalities, and supporting the broader NCD agenda.