International Association of Dental Students (www.iads-web.org ) and the FDI World Dental Federation ( www.fdiworldental.org ), the worldwide, authoritative andindependent voice of the dental profession, are pleased to announce the first annual World Oral Health Day to  be celebrated on Friday, 12 September 2008.

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 affectingchildren 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 HealthOrganization’s International Conference on Primary Health Care at Alma Ata, whichtook place on 12 September 1978.

More information about World Oral Health Day can be found at IADS’s website at www.iads-web.org and the FDI’s website at www.fdiworldental.org.

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 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

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