Blog — world oral health day

Support World Oral Health Day - a Healthy Mouth Makes a Healthy Body 0

The 20^th March marks another of the World Dental Federation’s (FDI) annual celebrations of oral hygiene and health on an international scale. World Oral Health Day will be a key event this year for many, looking to raise awareness of oral health issues and promote a healthy mouth and body.

Why is WOHD so important?

Research from the FDI has found that 90% of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime. Dental caries, or tooth decay is the most prevalent oral concern, where it’s been reported that 92% of adults between the ages of 20 to 64 have had tooth decay in their permanent teeth.

Although oral diseases in both children and adults are higher among poor or disadvantaged population groups, it is a worldwide issue, which is increased by factors including an unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use and poor oral hygiene. However, the rates of oral diseases can be lowered with improved governmental, health association and society support and funding for prevention, detection and treatment.

Oral hygiene and health is important for people no matter their age, which is why WOHD is so vital an event to take part in.

How we can all help make a change

As of 2013, WOHD has been celebrated on the 20^th March through a wide range of activities across the globe. Anyone can get involved in the activities this year, run by health associations, FDI member organisations and partners, governmental groups, students, teachers and the public in general. Sporting the hashtag, #WOHD16, these activities will help to highlight oral health concerns and their effects, and inspire change from influencing bodies. You can use the hashtag to find events in your local area.

This year, the theme for WOHD emphasises the need to drive an all-encompassing movement of change in understandings and attitudes towards oral health: ‘It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy body’.  The FDI has provided a number of posters, toolkits and templates which can be adapted and localised for your own events and activities.

Right now you can customise your own poster to be printed or shared via social media. The FDI has also received videos from around the world, from people giving a personal view of the importance of oral health and showing their support WOHD 2016.

The FDI acts as the main representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policies and education programmes, and supporting member associations in overall oral health promotion activities. Their WOHD creates a unified platform for the dental and oral health community to take action against oral disease and help with the advancement of oral health around the world.

For more information or for any questions related to your oral health, please call us on 0161 998 2622 or email info@manchesterorthodontics.co.uk.