Oral health with be celebrated on March 20, 2013, under the theme "Healthy teeth for a healthy life." It reflects the significant role oral health plays in health in general, in quality of life and individual self-confidence.
World Oral Health Day is organized by FDI World Dental Federation, with the support of Listerine (Johnson & Johnson) and Unilever Oral Care, all its member associations and the oral health community and professionals. It reminds us that healthy teeth, gums and mouth play a crucial role in our ability to work or study without constant, nagging and painful toothache, in our self-confidence and in the health of our whole body.
WOHD 2013 also serves as a reminder that oral diseases are among the most common chronic diseases: 90% of the world’s population is at risk from some form of disorder from caries (tooth decay) and periodontal diseases to oral cancer.
Working together
Says FDI President Dr. Orlando Monteiro da Silva: “World Oral Health Day 2013 provides an opportunity for oral care practitioners—dentists, dental therapists, hygienists, technicians and nurses, and students—to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to take measures to lower the incidence of oral disease.”
It also offers the dental and oral health community a platform for action: working together, we can prevent the epidemic of caries, gum diseases and tooth loss and help our communities maintain a solid dentition for life,” emphasizes Dr da Silva.
Good signs already
For WOHD 2013, signs are already very good, with countries lining up to show support and announce their activities. To ensure the worldwide success and international outreach of World Oral Health Day 2013, stakeholders can download the WOHD 2013 logo (in 14 languages and growing), the WOHD poster and a special toolkit from the FDI website at www.fdiworldental.org/events/world-oral-health-day/.
FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for over one million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes approximately 200 national member associations and specialist groups from more than 130 countries.
Since 2007
Communities around the world have been celebrating World Oral Health Day since 2007. This followed a decision to create the special celebratory day at the 2007 FDI World Dental Federation at its Annual World Dental Congress (AWDC) in Dubai.
The chosen date was September 12, corresponding to the birthday of FDI founder Charles Godon. Later, practical reasons allied to event planning and organization led FDI leadership to change the date to March 20.
For more information, visit www.fdiworldental.org/wohd2013.
