World Oral Health Day: Date, Theme, History, Significance & Facts

4to40.com 2 days ago Public Awareness 115 Views

World Oral Health Day: It is observed on March 20 to spread awareness about oral health. Several events and campaigns are organized on this day. Take a look at the theme, its history, and the significance of the day.

World Oral Health Day: Date

2025: 20 March, 2025 [Thursday]
2026: 20 March, 2026 [Friday]
2027: 20 March, 2027 [Saturday]
2028: 20 March, 2028 [Sunda]

It is observed on March 20 annually to unite the people to help reduce the burden of oral diseases as they affect individuals, health systems, and economies everywhere. The main aim of the day is to empower people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to secure good oral health. Therefore, the day encourages people to look after their mouth and their quality of life. It is believed that unhealthy mouth impact general health and also have a severe impact on people’s emotional, social, mental, and overall physical well-being.

World Oral Health Day is organized by the FDI World Dental Federation and is celebrated across the world. This day emphasizes the significance of good oral hygiene practices for both adults and children. It also highlights the importance of optimal oral health in maintaining general health and well-being. Every year, it is celebrated with a theme and provides a message to the public regarding oral health.

It is rightly said that “Your mouth is amazing! It helps you to eat, speak and smile confidently – to enjoy life“.

World Oral Health Day: Theme

2025: A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Mind
2024: A Happy Mouth is A Happy Body
2021 – 2023: Be Proud of Your Mouth
2020: Unite for Mouth Health

History:

In 2007, it was first declared and originally celebrated on September 12, the birthday of FDI founder Dr. Charles Godon. Until 2013, the campaign was not started and the date was changed to March 20th to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental Congress, which was in September.

Several people in the world face or suffer from oral diseases, but these conditions can be avoided by raising awareness, through education, and by providing the right knowledge. This day is also celebrated to support and provide funds for prevention, detection, and treatment program. FDI encourages all the members of National Dental Associations organizations (government and non-government), and the media to participate in national and global activities and work towards improving oral health.

Why was March 20th chosen to celebrate World Oral Health Day?

March 20 is chosen on a numerical basis, as the date can be written as 3/20 in reference to:

Seniors who will have 20 natural teeth at the end of their life will be considered healthy.
Children should possess 20 baby teeth.
Adults who are healthy should have a total of 32 teeth and no dental cavities.

Significance:

The WOHD campaign, an initiative of the FDI World Dental Federation, one of the oldest organizations in dentistry, seeks to raise awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene habits for both adults and children. However, the purpose of this observance has broadened with a focus on encouraging individuals to take personal action, encouraging schools and youth organizations to provide oral health education, encouraging oral health professionals and other members of the healthcare community to educate the populations they serve, and encouraging governments and policymakers to support better oral health for all.

Oral Health: Important Facts

One of the most common diseases is an oral disease. It is a non-communicable disease that affects people throughout their lifetime. It causes pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death.

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016, half of the world’s population is affected by dental caries or tooth decay.
Do you know that severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may also result in tooth loss, is estimated to be the 11th most prevalent disease globally?
Severe tooth loss and edentulism, or the absence of natural teeth, were among the top ten causes of years lived with disability (YLD) in some high-income countries.
The incidence of oral cancer in some Asian-Pacific countries is among the top 3 cancers in the world.
In most high-income countries, dental treatment is costly, averaging 5% of total health expenditure and 20% of out-of-pocket health expenditure.
In most low- and middle-income countries, oral healthcare demands are beyond the capacities of healthcare systems.
Some of the behavioral risk factors are also associated with oral diseases and are shared with other major non-communicable diseases, including an unhealthy diet high in free sugars, tobacco use, and the harmful use of alcohol.
Poor oral hygiene and insufficient exposure to fluoride have negative effects on oral health.

We can’t ignore that oral health is the key indicator of overall health, well-being, and quality of life. According to WHO, oral health is “a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity for biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing”.