The General Council of Dental Associations of Spain, the Alicante College of Dentists and Dentists (COEA) celebrated World Oral Health Day on Monday with a new campaign. A photo contest invited patients to reflect on how visiting the dentist regularly supports their oral health and overall well-being.
The Alicante College of Dentists underscores a simple truth: keeping up good oral health is essential for total health. Scientific evidence links poor oral health to broader health issues, including pulmonary and kidney problems, a higher risk of heart attack, challenges in managing diabetes, and even adverse pregnancy outcomes. In short, mouth health is a window to overall health.
Despite how many people view dentistry, about a quarter of the population treats oral health as mainly aesthetic. The message from the General Council of Dentists was clear: enjoying optimal oral health requires good nutrition, regular hygiene, and periodic dental checkups to detect and treat problems early when they arise.
Nationally, data from the European Health Survey 2020 show that only about half of Spaniards visit a dentist at least once a year. The rate is higher among younger adults, around 54–56% for those aged 15 to 44, and declines to roughly 39% for people over 65. This highlights a gap in preventive care that this campaign aims to close.
The next section presents a social media initiative designed to engage patients in a fun, accessible way while promoting regular dental visits.
Photo contest YoVoyAlDentista
The General Council of Spanish Dental Colleges launched a campaign to encourage people to visit the dentist and improve oral health. The photo contest centers on the slogan and hashtag #YoVoyAlDentista, inviting participation via Instagram where genuine, spontaneous, and immediate visuals are valued most by the judges.
The entry process is straightforward: participants take a photo with a dentist and/or dental clinic staff, share the image on Instagram as a story, tag the dentist or clinic, follow the General Council (@consejodentistas), and include the hashtag #YoVoyAlDentista. Optional tagging of the photographed clinic or practitioner is welcome.
The campaign runs until a designated closing date, with awards decided by a jury drawn from the General Assembly’s Communication Committee. This approach blends social engagement with a clear message about the importance of routine dental care.
Awards celebrate the creativity and connection between patients and their dental teams. The spirit is to showcase real faces and real experiences that highlight the value of ongoing dental care in everyday life.
Prizes recognize engagement and originality, reinforcing the message that good oral health improves quality of life. The competition rules provide a transparent framework for participation and judging, ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to be part of the conversation.
Participants can review the competition rules at the official source of the campaign and learn how dental clinics and patients of all ages can join in this nationwide effort to promote preventive care and healthy smiles.
The General Assembly of Dentists encourages participation from both dental professionals and patients alike, emphasizing that every family can benefit from greater awareness and easier access to routine dental care. The goal is to make regular dental visits the norm, not the exception, and to celebrate the everyday relationships that keep mouths healthy and people thriving.