Global celebrations for a 'Smile for life' on World Oral Health Day

Today is World Oral Health Day and countries worldwide are celebrating lifelong oral health with a Smile for life. Some 95 countries, 65 National Dental Associations, 30 Student Dental Associations as well as the World Oral Health Day Partners are working hard, holding fun, hands-on and informative events to raise awareness of the fact that oral health is a serious issue with far-reaching consequences.

With a focus on achieving the greatest impact, this year's planned activities include: the Dentolympics (oral health games for children) in Bolivia; a flash mob organised by dental students in Italy; free oral health assessments for over one thousand students in Kenya; and a marathon for dental professionals in front of the pyramids in Egypt.

In addition, the "Smile for life" message will be broadcast to the world via the giant NASDAQ screen in Times Square, New York City, with a display collage of some of the WOHD 2015 customised posters!

Globally, oral disease affects most adults and as many as 90% of schoolchildren. Oral diseases are a significant burden on overall health, with the greatest burden falling on disadvantaged and poor populations. The principal problems are: dental caries, periodontal diseases and oral cancer.

FDI President Dr Tin Chun Wong will today be speaking at WOHD event organized by the Indonesian Dental Association (Persatuan Dokter Gigi Indonesia (PDGI)) and Unilever.

She said: "I would like to take the opportunity to thank all National Dental Associations, dental students and other partners for working so hard to get the 'Smile for life' message across by joining in the celebrations and organising their own local, regional or national awareness raising event.

"Prevention is better than cure is an old saying; let's bring it up-to-date today on World Oral Health Day 2015 to help in the fight for a 'Smile for life' for everyone, no matter where they live."

This year's WOHD celebrations have been championed by four global partners that have provided support around the world to ensure that the activities organised are a success.

In recognition of this, Dr Tin Chun Wong commented: "Listerine, Unilever, Henry Schein and the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program have provided unrivalled support to make WOHD 2015 the largest celebration so far in terms of countries and associations participating, and we thank them for their continued support."