An evident underestimation of the targeted prevention of dental diseases is strongly supported by alarming epidemiologic statistics globally. For example, epidemiologists demonstrated 100% prevalence of dental caries in the Russian population followed by clinical manifestation of periodontal diseases. Inadequately provided oral health services in populations are caused by multi-factorial deficits including but not limited to low socio-economic status of affected individuals, lack of insurance in sub-populations, insufficient density of dedicated medical units. Another important aspect is the “participatory” medicine based on the active participation of population in maintaining oral health: healthcare will remain insufficient as long as the patient is not motivated and does not feel responsible for their oral health. To this end, nearly half of chronically diseased people do not comply with adequate medical services suffering from severely progressing pathologies. Noteworthy, the prominent risk factors and comorbidities linked to the severe disease course and poor outcomes in COVID-19 infected individuals, such as elderly, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, are frequently associated with significantly altered oral microbiome profiles, systemic inflammatory processes and poor oral health. Suggested pathomechanisms consider potential preferences in the interaction between the viral particles and the host microbiota including oral cavity, the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Since an aspiration of periodontopathic bacteria induces the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 – the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and production of inflammatory cytokines in the lower respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease has been proposed as leading to COVID-19 aggravation. Consequently, the issue-dedicated expert recommendations are focused on the optimal oral hygiene as being crucial for improved individual outcomes and reduced morbidity under the COVID-19 pandemic condition. Current study demonstrated that that age, gender, socio-economic status, quality of environment and life-style, oral hygiene quality, regularity of dental services requested, level of motivation and responsibility for own health status, and corresponding behavioural patterns are the key parameters for patient stratification considering person-tailored approach in a complex dental care in the population. Consequently, innovative screening programmes and adapted treatment schemes are crucial for the complex person-tailored dental care to improve individual outcomes and healthcare provided to the population.

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Relevance. The high prevalence of dental diseases worldwide and their cumulative process from an early age entail effective strategies for healthy habits promotion. Schools are recommended to include oral health education programs in the curricula to develop a positive attitude to oral hygiene among students. The aim was to review the effectiveness of implementing programs in the school curricula to reduce the dental disease level among schoolchildren.Materials and methods. The research chose programs aimed at improving the dental health of schoolchildren. We considered educational measures on oral health protection, carried out by dentists, nurses or teachers within school programs and curative and preventive measures for schoolchildren aged 6-18 years. We searched the publications on the given topic published between 1999 and 2021 in the database e-LIBRARY.ru and  between 2016 and 2021 in the PubMed database. When selecting articles, the full-text study was compulsory to check the article conformance degree to the inclusion criteria.Results. According to the keyword search, we found 76 publications in the database e-LIBRARY.ru. After the exclusion of duplicates and articles nonconforming to the selection criteria, the review included seven publications. Four studies revealed caries reduction, and two studies demonstrated the improvement of oral hygiene. In the PubMed database, 419 publications were found according to the keyword query. The analysis of the effectiveness of school dental programs included 12 articles. Four studies detected oral hygiene improvement, seven studies – caries reduction, and six studies – dental knowledge and skill improvement.Conclusions. According to Russian and international studies, education without curative and preventive measures isn't effective in dental disease prevention in schoolchildren. Along with instructions and training in practical oral hygiene skills, schoolchildren should use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride varnish application and fissure sealing are the most effective measures in risk groups.