More than million dentists from 200 organizations based in 130 countries are predicted to work with the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) to celebrate World Oral Health Day on March 20. More than 40 countries from across five continents have already recorded a pledge to help improve oral health across the globe.
These pledges, containing practical oral care advice, are available to view on the World Oral Health Day website. Poor oral health has been associated with a number of health conditions such as heart disease, pancreatic cancer, pneumonia, and lung disease. In one study, 40% of people with serious periodontal disease also reported suffering from an additional chronic condition. World Oral Health Day 2016 aims to educate consumers that good oral health is fundamentally intertwined with overall well-being.
FDI President Dr. Patrick Hescot said, “We are very excited to launch this landmark campaign, which educates people across the world on the importance of looking after their oral health—not just for the sake of their smile, but for their overall well-being. Our innovative new smartphone game, launching on World Oral Health Day, is a way of engaging people of all ages across the globe and providing practical oral care advice in a new and exciting format.”
Dentist Dr Edoardo Cavallè said, “Oral diseases affect 3.9 billion people worldwide, with between 60% and 90% of children globally suffering from tooth decay. Yet there is a lack of understanding of the key role that oral health plays in our overall health; simple steps such as brushing twice daily for two minutes, needs to be integrated into all our oral care routines. World Oral Health Day is a fantastic opportunity for the dental community to make a real difference in the state of oral health across the globe. ”
World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is celebrated every year on March 20. TheFDI World Dental Federation (‘FDI’) serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programs. FDI membership comprises some 200 national dental associations in over 130 countries. FDI was founded in Paris in 1900. Today, its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
Global partners include Henry Schein, Inc., Royal Philips, Unilever, and the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program.
