Geneva, 20th March 2014 – World Oral Health Day will be celebrated through more than 150 activities worldwide today. 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 organizations 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.

“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.” stated Dr. Tin Chun Wong, FDI President. “National Dental Associations, students, governments, and 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.