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As we welcome August, we are reminded that wellness is built through the everyday choices, partnerships, and preventive care that support healthier lives. Oral health plays a vital role in overall well-being, reinforcing the importance of integrating oral health into broader conversations about prevention, healthy aging, and whole-person care.

This month, we recognize National Wellness Month, an opportunity to reflect on the many factors that contribute to lifelong health. It also serves as a reminder that improving health outcomes requires collaboration across healthcare, public health, education, research, industry, and community organizations. By working together, we can continue advancing oral health as an essential part of overall health and wellness.

Looking Ahead: From Conversation to Consensus

The conversations that began during our Washington, D.C. Convening, Oral Health as a Pathway for Wellness and Longevity, continue to shape the work ahead. Guided by this year's central question, What will it take for oral health to be inseparable from whole-person health?, a draft consensus statement and interim report are being developed to capture the key insights and shared perspectives that emerged from the Convening.

We look forward to sharing these resources and continuing to foster collaboration across healthcare, public health, education, policy, research, philanthropy, and industry.

MUST READS

Application and evolution of design in oral health: A systematic mapping study with an interactive evidence map 

This systematic review explores how design is shaping innovation in oral healthcare, from patient experiences to care delivery and public health.

Your Mouth Could Hold the Secrets to a Longer and Healthier Life

This article examines the growing body of evidence linking oral bacteria to heart health, chronic disease, and overall well-being. (Subscription may be required.)

Bacteria from gum disease may cause inflammation, harden heart valves

Researchers investigate how bacteria associated with periodontal disease may influence heart valve health and systemic inflammation.

Charting the Future: ASTDD's Purpose, Vision, & Roadmap for Impact

This report presents ASTDD's strategic vision and priorities for strengthening oral health programs and improving population health. (Opens PDF)

Oral Cancer Guideline (2026 Update)

The 2026 update to the ADA Oral Cancer Guideline provides evidence-informed recommendations on adjunctive methods for early oral cancer detection.

AROUND THE WORLD

Oral health and AMR: New guidelines on minimally invasive care and appropriate antibiotic use for oral health

The World Health Organization's Western Pacific Region recently highlighted new global guidance promoting minimally invasive oral healthcare and appropriate antibiotic use, reinforcing the importance of prevention, sustainability, and antimicrobial stewardship in oral health.