World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day
	A World Oral Health Day event in New Delhi
Date	20 March
Next time	20 March 2021
Frequency	annual

World Oral Health Day is observed annually on 20 March, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives.[1]

Of the world's population, 90% will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime, many avoidable.[2] Organized by FDI World Dental Federation, World Oral Health Day involves campaigns by national dental associations from around the world with activities in over 130 countries, not leaving out the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) and the National Association Of Dental Students (NADS) of Nigeria. .[3]

History

World Oral Health Day was launched on 20 March 2013 by FDI World Dental Federation. The day also marks the launch of a year-long campaign to raise awareness of oral health and prevention of oral diseases. Since 2013 these campaigns have featured a specific theme.

Dental Students Competition

Since 2014 and in collaboration with its daughter organization, International Association of Dental Students (IADS), FDI organizes an annual worldwide competition for best awareness and prophylactic activities held by dental student organizations in celebration of World Oral Health Day.

Winners of WOHD Dental Students Competition:

2014: Egypt and Sudan [4]
2015: Turkey and Saudi Arabia [5]
2016: Poland, Iraq (Kurdistan) and Egypt[6]
2017: Spain, Egypt, Sudan and Palestine

In February 2017, the IADS launched WOHD Portal for organizing digitally the application and reviewing process of its national and local member organizations action plans and final reports.[7]