Dr Tin Chun Wong

Former President, FDI World Dental Federation

On World Oral Health Day, let us delve into the significance of maintaining good oral health.

People who are free from dental problems, such as pain, discomfort or bleeding, generally lead happier lives. The reason is simple: if your teeth look good and function well, it often means you eat well and enjoy your food. A healthy and happy life reaps many rewards, some of which are intangible – such as better performance at work and play, expanded social circle, improved career prospects and a more fulfilling family life. As you can imagine, good oral health can elevate our quality of life.

Oral diseases affect more than 4 billion people worldwide – untreated decay, untreated caries in children, and severe periodontitis. Countries like Japan, Australia and Germany have declared that oral diseases are the most expensive of all diseases to treat. Predicted treatment costs within the European Union reach 93 billion Euros annually. The economic burden of oral diseases is massive when we look at the loss of work and school hours, particularly when parents have to take time off for their children’s dental treatment, leading to income loss for themselves and their companies. This is reflected in the economic burden of the country.

The FDI World Dental Federation World Oral Health Day’s message in 2024 is clear: “A Healthy Mouth is … A Healthy Body”.

The importance of oral health is acknowledged globally. As declared by the WHO World Health Organisation at the 60th World General Assembly in 2007 – Oral health is an integral part of general health.

Furthermore, in 2011, at the United Nations General Assembly, Heads of State, governments and their representatives passed Article 19: “Recognise that renal, oral and eye diseases pose a major health burden for many countries and that these diseases share common risk factors and can benefit from common responses to non-communicable diseases.”

Once more, we urge you to prioritise your oral health: “A Healthy Mouth is … A Healthy Body”!

Dr William Cheung

Chairman, Education Committee, FDI World Dental Federation
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, HKU Faculty of Dentistry

I grew up with little knowledge of how to perform proper oral hygiene and consume healthy diet to maintain a healthy mouth. In addition, I only went to a dentist when a problem occurred. As a result, I would experience a toothache and bleeding gums from time to time. My mother would take me to the dentist, and usually extraction was the solution. Those were fearful and painful experiences, to say the least! My knowledge and behaviour changed when I became a dental student and learned about the importance of preventing oral diseases. Since then, I have not experienced any major problems with my mouth, or the fear and anxiety of going to the dentist.

Numerous scientific studies have indicated that poor oral health can significantly impact one’s overall well-being, including, but not limited to, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, pregnancy complications, nutritional impact and mental health. Maintaining good oral health can also prevent complicated dental treatments, thus preventing unpleasant experiences. This also would lower the cost of healthcare spending in the long run.

The World Oral Health Day is an initiative of the FDI World Dental Federation to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining good oral health. It is important for the public to understand that oral diseases can be prevented and how to prevent them. This is the purpose of the World Oral Health Day. Therefore, it is important for the public to support this initiative so that together, we can achieve the ultimate objective of having “a world with optimal oral health”!

Professor Lakshman Samaranayake

Editor-in-Chief, International Dental Journal, FDI World Dental Federation
Emeritus Professor and Past Dean of HKU Faculty of Dentistry

In many traditional healthcare systems, including China, the ancient physicians considered that good oral health directly reflected systemic (overall body) health and that “mouth is a mirror of total body health”. For example, expert physicians were able to examine a patient’s tongue and diagnose the systemic disease s/he may have, such as fevers and even cancers. I still recall in Sri Lanka, when I was still a young lad, how my parents took me to the local ayurvedic physician for treatment of ailments. The first thing he did after taking my pulse was to request me to open my mouth and protrude my tongue to examine it for any signs of systemic illnesses.

There is now a voluminous database to indicate that this may be the case. So much so that the FDI World Dental Federation has recognized that: “oral health is multifaceted and involves the ability to smell, touch, taste, chew, swallow, smile, speak, and conveys a variety of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without discomfort, pain, or disease in the craniofacial region”. This exemplifies the critical importance of oral health and well-being for each and every one of us.

Studies conducted over the last two to three decades have shown that there is a strong association between good oral health and systemic diseases such as atherosclerotic vascular diseases (which includes heart disease and stroke) and other common disorders (such as diabetes mellitus, adverse pregnancy outcomes and hospital-acquired pneumonias). Even Alzheimer’s disease which leads to loss of short- and long-term memory, and memory lapses, are now known to be related to chronic periodontitis (gum disease).

On the 20th March this year, when the world celebrates the World Oral Health Day, we all could help to share the message “A happy mouth is… a happy body” with our friends and relatives. In the longer term this not only will have wonderful health benefits for everyone, but also significant social, economic, and societal impact. Let’s take care of our mouth now and forever!

Professor Lijian Jin

Former Chair, Science Committee, & Former Chair, Global Periodontal Health Project Task Team, FDI World Dental Federation
Modern Dental Laboratory Professorship in Clinical Dental Science & Clinical Professor in Periodontology, HKU Faculty of Dentistry

There is a saying that, “Oral health as a seeable window reflects one’s body health”. Indeed, oral health greatly impacts an individual’s overall well-being, quality of life, self-esteem and self-confidence as well as healthy aging, via multifaceted approaches. Notably, severe gum disease (periodontitis) not only badly affects oral health and various oral functions but also closely connects to serious health problems (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, some forms of cancer and Alzheimer's disease).

The annual World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is a vital reminder of the profound importance of a healthy mouth for everyone’s overall health and happy life. By proactively adhering to good oral hygiene and healthy lifestyles (e.g., effective brushing daily using fluoride toothpaste, interdental clearing using dental floss and/or interdental brushes properly, regular dental check-ups and healthcare, healthy eating, regular exercise, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco), one can significantly reduce the risk of common health problems for a healthier and happier life.

Oral and general health are invaluable. On the WOHD, join us for enhancing the awareness of oral health and maintaining oral health daily. Let all get together for promoting better oral care and achieving optimal health of all individuals, families and communities worldwide.

Professor Chun Hung Chu

Member, Public Health Committee, FDI World Dental Federation
Professor, Chair of Family Dentistry, HKU Faculty of Dentistry

A healthy smile is the cornerstone of a happy life. From the joy of eating without discomfort to the self-confidence from a dazzling smile, good oral health leads us to healthier and happier lives.

The theme for this year’s World Oral Health Day is “A Happy Mouth … Is A Happy Body”. Therefore I encourage everyone to join the global movement to take better care of your oral health.

The impacts of oral disease extend far beyond what you can imagine. Oral diseases, if left untreated, can result in severe health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections. It has even been linked to low birth weight and preterm births.

Despite these alarming facts, you don’t have to be too worried. Most oral health problems are preventable by managing four risk factors: unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, and poor oral hygiene. These are simple habits to adopt, yet they are crucial for our overall health.

Each of these preventive steps taken is an investment for a happier, more fulfilling life. As we mark this FDI World Oral Health Day, let us treat our oral health as a priority.

Professor Walter Lam

Member, Science Committee, FDI World Dental Federation
Clinical Assistant Professor in Prosthodontics, HKU Faculty of Dentistry

Did you know that a happy mouth can lead to a happy body? It's not just about shiny teeth and fresh breath - taking care of your oral health is key to your overall well-being. Imagine this: your mouth is like a gateway to your body. If you don't keep it healthy, trouble can sneak in. Neglecting your oral hygiene can open the door to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory health, pregnancy health, and even stroke. Scary, right?

A few years ago, I experimented and intentionally skipped brushing and flossing my teeth for a whole week. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal, but as the days went by, I started experiencing the consequences. My mouth felt grimy, and the taste was unbearable. Food particles got stuck between my teeth, causing discomfort and bad breath. To make matters worse, my gums started bleeding, and I felt an overall sense of unwellness. It was a wake-up call that reminded me of the importance of oral hygiene.

But here's the good news: by simply brushing and flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly, you can keep those harmful bacteria at bay. No more sneaky invaders wreaking havoc on your health! So, folks, remember this: a happy mouth equals a happy body! Don't underestimate the power of a dazzling smile and fresh breath. Take charge of your oral health and enjoy the benefits of a healthier, happier you. It's time to give your mouth the love and attention it deserves.

Dr Flora Chan

Councillor, Hong Kong Dental Association Council (2023-2025)
President, Society of Preventive Dentistry of Hong Kong

As a "foodie", the benefits of having a healthy mouth are obvious: it is a pleasure to gather with friends and enjoy good food! Sadly, for some, oral discomfort makes this experience less enjoyable.

In the past, many people believed that oral health was isolated from overall health. This idea must be corrected. In fact, our oral health is part of the body health. For instance, oral disease, such as gum disease, has a strong connection with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As such, maintaining oral health is crucial for managing chronic diseases.

As we celebrate World Oral Health Day, it is important to understand the vital connection between oral health and overall health. We encourage everyone to take proactive steps to maintain their oral health and prioritise regular dentist visits. Just a little time invested in your oral care can make a big difference.