Overview:
On World Oral Health Day 2022, we are asking everyone to take meaningful action to help end the neglect of global oral health. Let’s come together on a global scale to raise awareness, improve education and spur personal and collective action on the importance of oral health, and spread the word to encourage as many people as possible to look after their mouths and protect their quality of life. Because an unhealthy mouth not only impacts general health but it can have a severe impact on people’s emotional, social, mental, and overall physical well-being; that’s why we are calling on people to Be Proud of their Mouth for their happiness and well-being.
The importance of the World Oral Health Day lies in the fact that oral health is a major health concern for many countries and negatively impacts people throughout their lives. Oral diseases lead to pain and discomfort, social isolation, and loss of self-confidence, and they are often linked to other serious health issues. However, most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages.
Objectives:
- Raising awareness about the importance of oral and dental hygiene.
- Promoting a healthy diet with low sugar and combating smoking.
- Encouraging periodic oral examination.
Facts:
- Oral disease can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. It can also affect social interaction and employment potential.
- The oral conditions that most affect overall health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease, and tooth loss.
- By age 8, over half of the children (52%) have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.
- Low-income children are twice as likely to have cavities as higher-income children.
- 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 currently has cavities.
- Tobacco use and diabetes are two risk factors for gum disease.
Official Date:
Globally: March 20th, 2022
Locally: Shaban 17th, 1443H
Theme:
(Be Proud of Your Mouth for Your Happiness and Well-Being)
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Oral Health Day Org.
World Dental Federation
World Dental Day Org.