Image Source: World Dental Federation
Each year on March 20, the World Dental Federation, an international organization that represents many in the dental profession, launches a public awareness campaign called World Oral Health Day. It's a campaign to generate awareness for the importance of oral hygiene in our lives and to promote prevention and treatment programs.
In 2015, the World Dental Federation estimates:
- World Oral Health Day materials reached a total audience of more than 27 million people
- Activities were sponsored in more than 112 countries
- 82 national dental associations and 39 dental student associations were involved in the campaign
- 26,000 people customized a World Oral Health Day poster
- Here's this year's poster if you want to customize your own
World Oral Health Day 2016
The slogan for this year's World Oral Health Day campaign is:
It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy body.
We think it's a powerful message that echoes the mouth-body connection we reference often on our own blog. Many people underestimate the severe impact something like an untreated infected tooth can have on their immune system, inflammation, and overall health risks.
Why is Oral Health Day Important?
The World Dental Federation estimates that 90% of the world's population will experience an oral health disease in their lifetime. In addition, and in part thanks to many of the successes we've experienced in the U.S., dentists recognize that much can be done to reduce many oral health problems if we get governments, health associations, and local communities on board to facilitate good prevention and screening programs and increase access.
Follow activities on Twitter using the hashtag #ItAllStartsHere and take some time out this weekend to talk to your family about the importance of their oral health.
Thanks for Reading!
To keep up with our blog, please stop by and like our Facebook page. We wish you a happy World Oral Health Day 2016!