Celebrating World Oral Health Day

On Friday, the 20th
    day of March, 2015, the world all over, rolled out its drums to celebrate the ‘World Oral Health Day. Some 95 countries, 65 National Dental Associations, 30 Student Dental Associations, as well as the World Oral Health Day partners, according to reports, worked hard, had fun, and organised some informative events to raise awareness of the fact that oral health is a serious issue with far-reaching consequences.
With the theme, “Smile for Life”, schools which participated in this all-important event, took time to analyse the importance of a healthy dentition, specific lectures were given on how to prevent dental decay and how to ensure a fresh breath from the mouth.
Like every other world-wide celebration, the world oral healthy day may have come and gone as it were, but the bell of its message to the world rings on …. Afterall, it is not all about celebration but of emphasis on the need for a world of active oral health. It is all about helping humanity realise that the healthier their mouth, the healthier their relationship with the world around them and the higher their confidence in themselves.
The World Oral Health Day is a remainder to the fact that it is not only all about you and your oral health, but also of your next partner, be it at home, classroom, school, market, church, mosque or any other known public place.
According to the World Dental Federation (FDI), governments, national dental associations, schools, communities and families, including churches and clubs, have important roles to play in effective prevention strategies, in particular, by raising awareness of good oral hygiene and habits contributing to good oral health.
I have never been attracted to global events as I am to this, why? This is one aspect of the human body that is less emphasised yet very important in the building of a people and a person. A lot of people have lost self-confidence on realisation of the fact that they emit bad breath. What about loss of friends and acolytes, even marriage relationships are broken on grounds of poor oral hygiene and you think it is an issue of less importance?
Oral health information and management are such that must not be treated as a matter of choice, but a ‘must’ for all to access and apply as well. This is imperative because globally, it is reported that oral disease affects most adults and as many as 90 per cent of school children. 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. Oral health tells you that inexpensive measures can largely prevent these conditions and reduce the high burden of oral disease including brushing with a fluoride tooth paste twice daily.
Apart from water fluoridation, which may be particularly appropriate for those with high risk of dental decay, reducing the intake of sugary foods and drinks and limiting consumptions to meal times can also be of preventive value.
Summarily, the benefits of regular dental check-ups, dietary concerns are highlighted through this occasion while explaining that fearful or anxious patients can be at ease with the choice of treatment available. Also made available is the message that gum disease could be chronic but treatable and due to improved access to care and dental health awareness, more patients than ever before are keeping their natural teeth for life.
I think that the assimilation of the message of the world oral health day as well as its application will help bring about the theme of this year’s celebration “Smile for Life”.
The World Oral Health Day provides opportunity for oral care practitioners – dentists, dental therapists, hygienists, technicians, nurses and medical students to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to take measures to lower the incidence of oral disease.
Apart from the euphoria that characterises the day, it is aimed at showing the significant role oral health plays in the maintenance of general health, quality of life and individual’s self-confidence.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi