Be Proud of Your Mouth
Oral health influences overall health and well-being. It is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent dental problems. An estimate puts that 90% of the world’s population suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime. Ironically many are avoidable. For many, dental care involves tooth extraction when the pain becomes unbearable. World Oral Health Day is observed on March 20 every year. It was first celebrated on September 12, the birth date of Dr Charles Gordon, the founder of the World Dental Federation. It was shifted to March 20 in, 2013. Healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities. It got translated as 3/20 hence March 20. World Oral Health Day aims to create awareness about the importance of oral health and educate them on how to prevent dental problems. “Be Proud of Your Mouth” is the theme. There is a need to address the inequalities in oral healthcare access and promote equitable access to oral healthcare. A dentist is not just a special kind of doctor but another profession entirely. The question comes to mind why is it Dentistry Is Separate From Medicine. Could it have been part of medicine with specialisation of one part of the body (dental), like dermatologists or cardiologists?
Oral health influences overall health and well-being. It is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent dental problems. An estimate puts that 90% of the world’s population suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime. Ironically many are avoidable. Neglecting oral health can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Poor oral health can significantly impact our overall health and quality of life. It can also lead to more severe health issues like cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes. For many, dental care involves tooth extraction when the pain becomes unbearable.
World Oral Health Day is observed on March 20 every year. The idea to celebrate World Oral Health Day was first proposed in 2007. It was first celebrated on September 12, the birth date of Dr Charles Godon, the founder of the World Dental Federation, the largest membership-based dental organisation in the world. In the year 2013, the date for observation was changed to March 20 to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental Congress in September. Interesting background about March 20 being chosen as the date of observation. Healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities. It got translated as 3/20 hence March 20.
World Oral Health Day aims to create awareness about the importance of oral health and educate them on how to prevent dental problems. “Be Proud of Your Mouth” is the theme chosen for three years starting from 2021. Each of the three years focused on how one can be proud of their mouth. The first year is about the effects of oral health on overall health, followed by an emphasis on the importance of a healthy mouth for happiness and well-being. In 2023, the emphasis is on ensuring oral health at every stage of life. There is a need to address the inequalities in oral healthcare access and promote equitable access to oral healthcare.
Dentists specialise in diagnosing oral cavity conditions and illnesses and treatment. A dental team comprises dental technicians, dental hygienists, and dental assistants in various nation’s dental therapists. The dental surgeon’s support team assists in providing numerous oral health services. Wikipedia mentions that barbers in China and France initially practised dentistry. India, Japan, Italy, France and the UK are the countries where the highest number of dentists are there. India tops the list with 2 lakh dentists, followed by Japan with about 1 lakh.
A dentist is not just a special kind of doctor but another profession entirely. The question comes to mind why is Dentistry Separate From Medicine? Could it have been the specialisation in one part of the body, like dermatologists or cardiologists?
Toons: Shreya
Logs: M Sai Baba
