WOHD - Valença-Tui Eurocity Event

We will hold the celebration of World Oral Health Day (WOHD) on March 20, 2026, in the Valença-Tui Eurocity, marks a milestone in territorial cooperation between Portugal and Spain in the field of public health. This event, resulting from the institutional convergence of the Portuguese Dental Association (OMD), the municipalities of Valença and Tui, and the leading professional colleges of Galicia (Spain), aims to serve as a platform for political activation in health promotion.

The choice of the Eurocity as the central stage for these celebrations underscores the need to address oral health challenges through a cross-border lens, recognizing that the mobility of border populations demands a harmonization of prevention strategies and health literacy. This document analyzes the structural dimensions of this initiative, grounded in recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FDI World Dental Federation, as well as regional cooperation precedents that support the signing of the Eurocity Declaration.

We will also hold two additional events in the North of Portugal and Galicia dedicated to children and the elderly.

Children's Program

• Brushing Masterclass
• "Junior Dentists" Laboratory
• In-classroom activities using the Science4you "Dentist" kit
• Creation of a mural featuring oral health messages
• Distribution of oral hygiene kits to all participants

The program for the elderly features mobile teams of dentists in an initiative designed to be human, practical, and transformative:

1. Conversational Circles with elderly people: A moment of proximity to demystify oral care and promote daily comfort.
2. Workshop for Caregivers: A technical capacity-building session (1h 30m) aimed at assistants and professionals in the field, focusing on practical strategies for denture hygiene and care for non-cooperative residents. The objective is to strengthen clinical cooperation and support those who provide care, ensuring that oral health remains a pillar of quality of life in old age.