RSU conference to discuss the future of children’s oral health in Latvia

On 17 April, at 14:00, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will host the closing scientific conference of the Fundamental and Applied Research project Implementation of the Evidence-Based Paediatric Caries Management Strategies in Latvian Clinical Practice - an Evidence Transfer Study (IEVA) and the strategic discussion From Evidence to Policy: The Future of Children’s Oral Health in Latvia. The event will take place at RSU, 20 Dzirciema iela, in the Kalvelis lecture hall. 

The conference will be structured as a scientific and strategic discussion on integrating the results of the IEVA project into the national children’s oral health policy. It will be opened by Prof. Ģirts Šalms, Chair of the Board of the RSU Institute of Stomatology. 

The event will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to jointly explore solutions for improving children’s oral health in Latvia.

Analysis of paediatric dental care

In the first part of the conference, paediatric dental care will be analysed from various perspectives – accessibility, the implementation of evidence-based methods, economic evaluation, as well as the experiences of parents and dental care teams. Special attention will be paid to the prevalence of caries in different age groups, as well as to the importance and availability of minimally invasive treatment methods in Latvia.

Discussion with industry representatives 

Following the presentation session, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the research conducted as part of the project through poster presentations.  The conference will conclude with experts discussing strategic solutions for improving children’s oral health and ensuring its sustainable development in Latvia.

The discussion will be attended by Svens Henkuzens, a representative from the Ministry of Health,  Aiga Zapelsone, a representative from the National Health Service, Ilze Straume, a representative from the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne, Director of the RSU Institute of Public Health, Kristiāna Jansone, a representative from the Latvian Association of Midwives, Natālija Protasa, a representative from the Latvian Paediatric Dentistry Association, Kristīne Belova, a representative from the Latvian Dental Hygienists Association, as well as Inga Akmentiņa-Smildziņa representing a parents’ organisation to ensure a broad interdisciplinary perspective on the development of children’s oral health. 

About the project results 

The results obtained in the project will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making, strengthening the link between science and health policy, and promoting long-term improvements in children's healthcare.