Background on World Oral Health Day
The FDI World Dental Federation established World Oral Health Day following an initiative of the FDI’s World Dental Development & Health Promotion Committee.
The aim of such a commemorative day is to provide an occasion for global, regional and national activities related to oral health. Since in various countries, similar days or weeks already exist, the intention is not to replace the ongoing national activities, but rather to complement existing national days and to provide further occasions to create awareness for oral health. It is possible, depending on the international resonance to World Oral Health Day, that national activities align to the global date in the future. It is also possible as well to establish the day within the United Nations/WHO system of global commemorative days at a later stage.
A survey conducted among FDI members was undertaken to find out more about current national and/or regional oral health days/weeks. The results of this survey were overwhelmingly supportive and positive. The response rate was more than 70% and the vast majority of respondents felt that such a global day would help in their advocacy work. Based on this information, the month of September was chosen as the most appropriate period of the year for a World Oral Health Day, since most national activities are already happening during this month. 12 September was chosen to coincide with existing oral health days around the world, to honour the birthday of FDI founder, Dr Charles Godon and to jointly celebrate the anniversary of the groundbreaking WHO’s International Conference on Primary Health Care at Alma Ata, which took place on 12 September 1978.
The very first international day related to oral health was celebrated in 1994, the International Year of Oral Health, when the World Health Organization’s World Health Day was dedicated to oral health. The FDI is keen to establish the new World Oral Health Day on 12 September of each year in order to support the improvement of oral health worldwide. In the future, the FDI will provide a theme and supportive material for member associations and other interested parties in order to promote activities related to the day. The FDI website will provide additional information and list related World Oral Health Day events around the world and help in disseminating information on oral health and prevention.
International Association of Dental Students and the FDI World Dental Federation the worldwide, authoritative and independent voice of the dental profession, are pleased to announce the first annual World Oral Health Day to be celebrated on Friday, 12 September.
The aim of this day is to increase awareness for oral health, as well as, the impact of oral diseases on general health, well-being and national economies.
The IADS members are invited to join us to support the idea around the world in honour of this day through a series of activities.
These activities include:
- promoting the need of improving oral health care among students, patients throughout the world;
- establishing care giving international programmes;
- studying and promoting activities related to prevention of oral diseases;
- emphasis the negative consequences of oral diseases and its influence general health;
- increasing the awareness for oral health by educational activities.
Worldwide, dental caries is the most common chronic disease, particularly affecting children and disadvantaged population.
The impact of oral diseases results in unnecessary pain and suffering and missed work or school days. It has been linked to diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes and other diseases. Untreated tooth decay seriously impacts on the quality of life.
12 September was chosen to coincide with existing oral health days around the world to honour the FDI founder, Dr Charles Godon, who was born on 12 September 1854, and to jointly celebrate the anniversary of the groundbreaking World Health Organization’s International Conference on Primary Health Care at Alma Ata, which took place on 12 September 1978.
On the occasion of the World Oral Health Day we would like to know your ideas and suggestions related to celebration of this event in the future. We look forward to hearing from you how this day is celebrated in your countries, at your universities, in your associations.
Please mail to secretary@iads-web.org.
