World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day
A World Oral Health Day event in New Delhi
Date20 March
Next time20 March 2025 (2025-03-20)
Frequencyannual

World Oral Health Day is observed annually on 20 March, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives.[1][2]

Of the world's population, 90% will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime, many avoidable.[3] Organized by FDI World Dental Federation, World Oral Health Day involves campaigns by national dental associations from around the world with activities in over 130 countries.[4]

History

World Oral Health Day was launched on 20 March 2013 by FDI World Dental Federation. The day also marks the launch of a year-long campaign to raise awareness of oral health and prevention of oral diseases. Since 2013 these campaigns have featured a specific theme.

FDI World Dental Federation partners with Dentsply Sirona, Haleon, Solventum, Smile Train, and Dental Tribune International Publishing on World Oral Health Day.[5]

The annual award categories are:

  • Most educational activity
  • Best media campaign
  • Best campaign by a dental students' association
  • Most engaging community campaign

Dental Students Campaign Competition

Since 2014 and in collaboration with its daughter organization, the International Association of Dental Students (IADS), FDI organizes an annual worldwide competition for best awareness and prophylactic activities held by dental student organizations in celebration of World Oral Health Day.

Winners of WOHD Dental Students Competition:

In February 2017, IADS launched WOHD Portal for organizing digitally the application and reviewing process of its national and local member organizations action plans and final reports.[10]

Themes

  • 2013: Healthy Teeth for Healthy Life
  • 2014: Brush for a Healthy Mouth!
  • 2015: Smile for Life!
  • 2016: It All Starts Here. Healthy mouth. Health body.
  • 2017: Live Mouth Smart
  • 2018: Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health
  • 2019: Say Ahh: Act On Mouth Health
  • 2020: Say Ahh: Unite for Mouth Health
  • 2021–2023: Be Proud of Your Mouth[11]
  • 2024 - 2026: A Happy Mouth is...A Happy Mind[11]
    • Toothie Beaver, a cartoon dentist, joined Instagram in January 2024[12] and encouraged participation in the #BrushAndBoogie movement as part of World Oral Health Day[13]

References

  1. ^ "World Oral Health Day - 20 March 2016". 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  2. ^ "World Oral Health Day". www.worldoralhealthday.org. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  3. ^ "About WOHD". 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  4. ^ "Over 100 countries celebrate World Oral Health Day". 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  5. ^ "Partners | World Oral Health Day". www.worldoralhealthday.org. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  6. ^ "World Oral Health Day Booklet by IADS". 27 September 2014.
  7. ^ "WOHD15 Students Competition Winners". IADS Prophylaxis Group.
  8. ^ "WOHD 2016 student awards presented in Poznan".
  9. ^ "Award winners | World Oral Health Day". www.worldoralhealthday.org. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  10. ^ "IADS World Oral Health Day Portal".
  11. ^ a b "Campaign theme 2021-2023 | World Oral Health Day". www.worldoralhealthday.org. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  12. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  13. ^ "#BrushandBoogie | World Oral Health Day". www.worldoralhealthday.org. Retrieved 2024-10-03.