World Oral Health Day – 20th March

Oral health is the state of the mouth, teeth and orofacial structures that enables individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialize and work without pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Oral health varies over the life course from early life to old age, is integral to general health and supports individuals in participating in society and achieving their potential.(WHO)

Oral diseases encompass a range of diseases and conditions that include dental caries, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, oro-dental trauma, noma and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate. Oral diseases are among the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. 

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, around 500,000 dental diseases and conditions are registered annually.

Every year on March 20th, World Oral Health Day is observed at the initiative of the World Dental Federation. The purpose of commemorating this day is to raise awareness about the importance of oral health in maintaining overall health and well-being for individuals. Activities are geared towards promoting global awareness about the prevention and control of oral diseases, involving individuals, the public, oral health professionals, and policymakers.

Every World Oral Health Day brings its own campaign aimed at promoting oral health.

The “A Happy Mouth is...” theme, will be used from 2024 through to 2026, has been designed to "to simplify oral health and make it accessible by explaining the benefits upfront in a plain-speaking way." Each year of this three-year campaign will have a particular focus which will align with broader developments on the global health agenda, and which are designed to follow on from the adoption of the World Health Organization Oral Health Resolution 2021. 2024 will firmly focus on the oral and general health link, emphasising that many diseases and conditions are influenced by a person’s oral health and that people can manifestly improve their wellbeing by brushing, flossing and practising other elements of a consistent oral health regime. The campaign will also feature a mascot, Toothie the Beaver who will take centre stage in what FDI says will be an “exciting movie-inspired campaign”

“World Oral Health Day is the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves how important Oral health is in every individual's life and to understand that we can achieve it only through proper oral hygiene.”

Aida Hambo
Faculty of Dentistry with Dental Clinic Center
University of Sarajevo

Discover the author behind the insightful blog on oral health! Below are exclusive photos of the author actively engaged in practical exercises at the Faculty of Dentistry, UNSA. Witness their passion and dedication to the field of dentistry in action.