Dr. Kathryn Kell, FDI president, talks to Dental Tribune MEA/CAPPmea about the importance of oral health.
Tell me about the work FDI does and the World Oral Health Day program you run.
FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) is an international not-for-profit, membership-based organization that serves as the principal representative body for more than 1 million dentists worldwide; we are active in close to 200 National Dental Associations (NDAs) and specialist groups in 130 countries. Founded in 1900, FDI is a pioneer in the field of modern dentistry. FDI has a bold vision: to lead the world to optimal oral health. Speaking as the unified voice of dentistry, we collaborate closely with our members, oral health experts, allied health professionals, and industry partners alike to achieve this vision together.
We are very proud of our World Oral Health Day campaign, which is a platform for the public, the oral health community, and policymakers to help reduce the global burden of oral disease. Everyone has the power to take action to reduce the impact of oral diseases on individuals, families and communities. WOHD provides the ideal platform to grow awareness and encourage people to take charge of their oral health. By working together and coordinating efforts at local, national, and global levels, we can amplify the voice of the oral health community every year on 20 March.
Why is oral health an important topic beyond the teeth and mouth of an individual?
Oral health is much more than a beautiful smile – it is an essential part of our well-being. The mouth is a kind of ‘mirror’ to the body and reflects the status of our overall health.
A look into our mouths can reveal nutritional deficiencies, signs of serious diseases, and the effects of unhealthy habits like tobacco or alcohol use. World Oral Health Day encourages all of us to protect our mouths and bodies by adopting good hygiene habits; eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar and high in fruits and vegetables; quitting tobacco use and avoiding harmful alcohol consumption.
What results did World Oral Health Day achieve over the past few years?
We are impressed by the increasingly global reach of World Oral Health Day. In 2018, 161,159 participants in 544 events around the world celebrated on 20 March. 150 countries engaged in events and activities. Here’s a snapshot of the diversity of World Oral Health Day activities around the world: children’s education programmes, lectures, workshops, rallies, free dental check-ups, brush-a-thons, media outreach, social media promotion and more. The response in the media, including on social media, was staggering: in 2018, our campaign reached close to 800 million people.
What is your anticipation for World Oral Health Day in 2019?
This year, World Oral Health Day is all about action on oral health at every level. The campaign will promote good oral hygiene habits and the importance of adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle; it will also highlight the link between oral diseases and other noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and some cancers. The 2019 campaign theme, “Say Ahh: Act on Mouth Health” is filled with oral health messages and tips for good oral care that children and adults can take home and integrate into their daily self-care routines and share with their families and friends. Our campaign also urges oral health professionals to teach their patients how good oral health affects overall health; what’s more, it calls on policymakers to analyze the oral health challenges in their countries and implement policies that address oral disease at a local, regional and national level.
Why are partnerships with companies like Philips important to FDI and how do such organizations support World Oral Health Day?
As you know, the dental profession and the dental industry are essential partners in delivering oral health to populations around the world. Bridging the gap between the two is even more important today, as new materials and technologies are developed to accommodate the latest treatment philosophies. As leaders in the corporate world, companies like Philips have access to an international community of diverse stakeholders; by working together, we can promote oral health on a truly global scale. Since 2016, Philips Sonicare has played an integral role in ensuring the success of World Oral Health Day through global and local activations. In the UAE, Philips collaborated with several stakeholders such as Dubai, Health Authority, universities and schools to raise awareness on oral hygiene. By continuing to unite our efforts, we can help make oral diseases a priority health issue and lead the world to optimal oral health.
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