World Oral Health Day observed on 20th March.

March 23, 2022

Why in news?

World Oral Health Day(WOHD) is annually observed across the world on 20th March to create awareness about the importance of oral health. The day also aims to reduce the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals, health systems and economies everywhere.
Purpose: To empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.
The three-year campaign theme 2021-2023 of World Oral Health Day is “Be Proud of Your Mouth”.
The campaign provides an opportunity to explore the links between oral health, general health and quality of life.
World Oral Health Day(WOHD) is an initiative of the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI), an organization that unites the world of dentistry with the aim of achieving optimal oral health for everyone.
The WOHD was first declared in 2007 and was originally celebrated on 12 September, which marks the birth anniversary of Dr Charles Godon, Founder of FDI.
The campaign was fully activated in 2013 and the date was changed to 20th March to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental Congress which takes place in September.
The date 20^th March was chosen to reflect that, Seniors must have a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy and Children should possess 20 baby teeth. Healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities, this expressed on a numerical basis can be translated as 3/20 hence March 20.

India’s National Oral Health Programme (NOHP)

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), Government of India has initiated a National Oral Health Programme to provide integrated, comprehensive oral health care in the existing health care facilities.
Objective:
To improve the determinants of oral health,
To reduce morbidity from oral diseases,
To integrate oral health promotion and preventive services with the general health care system, and
To encourage the Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model for achieving better oral health.