World Oral Health Day

Many diseases are linked to your oral health, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. 75% of the U.S. population suffers from some stage of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. The average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds, while the recommended amount of time is 120-180 seconds, according to the Academy of General dentistry. In 1905, Dental Assistant Irene Newman was trained to clean teeth. She became the first Dental Hygienist.

The decision to create World Oral Health Day was taken at the World Dental Federation (FDI) Annual World Dental Congress (AWDC) in Dubai in 2007. The date, 12 September, corresponded to the birthday of FDI founder Charles Godon and thus seemed a logical choice.

As of 2013, World Oral Health Day will be celebrated on 20 March. The original date, 12 September, was moved following a decision in Hong Kong and subsequent publication of a revised Policy Statement.

FDI would like to see its national dental associations use 20 March as an opportunity to, in the words of the Policy Statement, "develop activities and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness for oral health as well as the impact of oral diseases on general health, well-being and economy."

Long before policy development and education for health was enshrined in the founding documents of the World Health Organization, FDI began developing educational curricula for the dental profession and strategies for bringing oral health care to people around the world.

Organization was founded in Paris in 1900 by a group of six enlightened dentists, led by Dr. Charles Godon of France, under the name ’Federation Dentaire Internationale’. Its objective was to organize regular dental congresses to advance the science and art of dentistry and focus discussion on issues such as dental education, oral hygiene and public dental health.

Source: fdiworldental.org