Research Article
Agripina N. Zaharia, Cristina
Abstract
This report describes a Romanian–Bulgarian cross-border collaboration in oral health that has been run as a project to improve cross-border cooperation within the European Union. Aim: The aim of the collaboration was to improve the quality of life and health of the population of this essentially rural area and to reduce the differences in oral health between the populations of the two border regions. Methods: After an introduction that sets the scene in the context of the European Union’s programme for border areas, the report details the selection of the geographic areas that were (and are) involved in the project, the selection of partners and beneficiaries, the selection of the participating pilot clinics, and agreements between local authorities, regional authorities and the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University, Constanta, Romania. It then explains how the oral health problems of the population of the cross-border area were identified, the joint planning that was necessary, the organisation of interactive training sessions and media conferences, the collection of clinical oral health data, the acquisition and distribution of IT equipment for the pilot clinics, and the creation of a network between them and the Faculty of Dental Medicine. Results: The results so far have included better access to oral health care and oral health education for the populations of the border areas, the foundation of an Oral Health Cross-Border Research Centre, the development of the Romanian–Bulgarian Network for Cooperation in the Field of Oro-Dental Health (ROBUDENT), increased availability of continuing professional education for local dentists, and computerisation of the oral health clinics in the cross-border area. Conclusions: The Romanian–Bulgarian cross-border cooperation has led to the development of professional networks in the field of oral health and the creation of a strong partnership between the local authorities, dentists from the pilot oral health clinics who take part in the cooperation, and the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University, Constanta.