Wellness Starts with Oral Health
August is recognized as National Wellness Month, an opportunity to reflect on the daily habits, preventive care, and healthy choices that support overall well-being. Wellness extends beyond physical fitness and nutrition—it encompasses the many factors that contribute to living healthier lives, including oral health, an essential component of whole-person health.
Research continues to demonstrate that oral health is closely connected to overall health and quality of life. Good oral health supports healthy eating, communication, social well-being, and has important associations with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other systemic diseases. As our understanding of these connections continues to grow, integrating oral health into broader healthcare conversations has become increasingly important.
Advancing whole-person health requires collaboration across healthcare professions, public health, education, research, industry, government, and community organizations. Preventive care, early intervention, health education, and equitable access to oral healthcare all contribute to healthier individuals and stronger communities. By working together across disciplines, we can better address the many factors that influence health throughout every stage of life.
This spirit of collaboration remains central to the Santa Fe Group’s mission. During the 2026 National Convening, leaders from across healthcare, academia, industry, government, philanthropy, and professional organizations came together to explore innovative strategies for advancing oral health as an integral part of overall health and wellness. These conversations reinforced the importance of partnership, innovation, and shared leadership in building healthier communities.
As we recognize National Wellness Month, we encourage healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and community organizations to continue advancing wellness by recognizing oral health as a vital component of whole-person health. Together, we can help create healthier futures through collaboration, prevention, and a shared commitment to improving health for all.
Continuing the Conversation
Explore additional resources from the Santa Fe Group’s recent work:
Resources
National Wellness Month
Oral Health
Global Oral Health
