National dental associations (NDA), practicing dentists, students, governments, oral care companies and members of the public have come together to celebrate healthy smiles, promote worldwide awareness of oral health and educate about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
Amongst the highlights this year will be an attempt to break a national record for the highest number of people brushing simultaneously in Malaysia, free restorative treatments for children in Rwanda, and flash mobs in Malta and Moldova.
To see which organisations have joined this year’s World Oral Health Day, visit the map created in the new WOHD website which pinpoints all the activities around the world: www.wohd.org/get-involved.
Dr Tin Chun Wong, FDI president, said: 'This year we are focusing on the importance of our teeth and mouth in our everyday lives.
'Eating, chewing, kissing, these are all everyday actions for which we need to maintain good oral health.
'National dental associations, students, governments, independent dentists and hygienists and members of the public have done an outstanding job in bringing this message to everyone on such an important day, and we are extremely grateful for their efforts to make this day a success.
This year, FDI World Dental Federation has also marked World Oral Health Day with the publication of ‘The Tooth Thief’, an illustrated story for children which includes oral health tips.
This book highlights the importance of good oral health to children to instil good oral care habits from a young age.
The prologue of the book has been written by Yaya Touré, Manchester City FC player and African Football Player of the Year for the last three seasons in a row.
Touré is this year’s World Oral Health Day ambassador, and as such has filmed a short advertisement that will be available online and be played on the NASDAQ screen in Times Square, New York City.
The book ‘The Tooth Thief’ is available from the Apple iBook Store and Amazon and can be downloaded from the World Oral Health Day website at: www.worldoralhealthday.com/book.
This year’s WOHD celebrations have been championed by four global partners that have provided support around the world to ensure that the activities organised by the different NDAs are a success.
Jean-Luc Eiselé, FDI executive director, noted: 'Listerine, Unilever, Henry Schein and Wrigley have provided unrivalled support to make WOHD 2014 the largest celebration so far in terms of countries and associations participating.'
