Berlin Makes Toothbrushing Mandatory in Childcare; Baden-Württemberg Backs Health as a School Subject

Berlin has enacted a new law mandating daily toothbrushing and dental check-ups in kindergartens (Kitas), a measure coming into effect on December 24, 2025, aimed at improving oral health among children, particularly those from educationally disadvantaged families. According to Andreas Dietze, head of the Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Berlin zur Verhütung von Zahnerkrankungen, parents must now actively object if they do not want their children to participate in dental examinations. This marks Berlin as a federal pioneer in pediatric oral health, fulfilling longstanding demands by dental and healthcare professionals to establish routine care within childcare settings. The amended Kindertagesförderungsgesetz also requires facilities to promote healthy habits such as nutrition, age-appropriate exercise, and hygiene.

Meanwhile, in Baden-Württemberg, overwhelming public support exists for integrating health education into the school curriculum. A survey by Civey for AOK Baden-Württemberg revealed that 83.8% of residents desire children to learn about nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and prevention at school. Over half (54%) support health being taught as a separate subject. Gordana Marsic, AOK board member, highlighted the critical need to enhance health literacy from an early age to foster lifelong healthy behaviors. The survey identified that 65.9% of respondents consider current health education inadequate, a concerning finding in light of rising childhood obesity rates which have increased from 12.7% (2012-2019) to 15% in 2024 among children aged 3-10 years. The study also emphasized topics prioritized by respondents: healthy eating (72.7%), physical activity (67.4%), addiction prevention (56.1%), and first aid (53.2%).

Together, these regional developments reflect a growing focus in Germany on preventative health measures and education specifically targeting youth to combat emerging public health challenges. Health literacy deficits affecting over 75% of German adults underscore the urgency of these initiatives. Both approaches — mandatory hygiene practices in early childcare and comprehensive health education in schools — seek to establish healthier lifestyles among children and youth across Germany, promoting well-being and self-determined living.