This position paper outlines the areas of competence and learning outcomes of the Common European Curriculum for Dental Hygiene (CECDH) that specifically relate to Oral Health in Society. 2 | DEFINITION In addition to treating individual patients, a hygienist should be able to focus on promoting health and implementing effective strategies of care. This necessarily involves understanding population demography and health trends, in the context of the health-care system, or systems, within which they work.