Today, March 20th, is World Oral Health Day.

This is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene practices and their impact on overall health and well-being.

For dental offices, this day serves as a reminder of the crucial role dental staff play in promoting oral health within their communities.

Why We Celebrate World Oral Health Day

As frontline healthcare professionals, dental teams are instrumental in educating patients about the importance of preventive care and encouraging regular dental check-ups.

World Oral Health Day is an opportunity for your dental office to:

1. Engage with your community
2. Raise awareness about oral health
3. Promote preventive care

Ways Your Dental Office Can Participate

Here are som ways your dental office can celebrate World Oral Health Day:

1. Host an Event: The FDI World Dental Federation offers an opportunity for dental offices to create and post an event for World Oral Health Day. Organize a talk on proper brushing and flossing techniques, the importance of regular dental check-ups, or the connection between oral health and overall well-being. Then be sure to add your event to the FDI website.

2. Offer Free Oral Health Screenings: Provide complimentary oral health screenings to both existing patients and members of the community who may not have access to dental care. This can help identify any potential issues early on and encourage individuals to seek follow-up treatment if needed.

3. Spread Information: From office displays in the reception area of your dental office to posting educational materials on your social, these World Oral Health Day resources encourage patients to ask questions and engage with your staff.

4. Share a Social Media Campaign: Use your dental office's social media platforms to spread awareness about World Oral Health Day. Share informative posts, videos, and infographics about oral hygiene tips, common dental problems, and the importance of preventive care. Encourage patients to share their own oral health journeys using a designated hashtag like #WorldOralHealthDay

5. Offer Special Promotions: Incentivize patients to prioritize their oral health by offering special promotions or discounts on dental services. Consider offering discounted cleanings, whitening treatments, or oral hygiene products for a limited time leading up to International Oral Health Day.

6. Organize a Charity Event: Give back to your community by organizing a charity event to support oral health initiatives. You might consider partnering with a local charity or organizations that focuses on providing dental care to underserved populations. Host a fundraiser, donation drive, or volunteer day to support their efforts.

7. Create Customized Patient Education Materials: This takes a lot more work, but if you don't like the materials the FDI put together, you could engage with your office manager or other staff to develop customized patient education materials, such as brochures, flyers, and posters, specifically for International Oral Health Day. Include information on common dental issues, preventive care tips, and the importance of regular dental check-ups. Distribute these materials to patients during their visits and at community events.

8. Collaborate with Local Schools: Partnering with local schools to promote oral health education among students is a great way to celebrate Oral Health Day. Offer to visit classrooms to deliver a presentation on oral hygiene, healthy eating habits, and the effects of sugary drinks on teeth. Provide schools with educational materials and resources to reinforce these messages throughout the year.

Fun Ways Other Companies Celebrate

I saw this on Twitter and just had to share it for World Oral Health Day. Some companies are just perfectly poised to help spread the word:

Check out this office display!

Social Media Post Examples

Here's a few example posts for social media for World Oral Health Day:

1. Happy World Oral Health Day. Smile!
2. Today marks #WorldOralHealthDay, a day to promote good #oralhygiene worldwide. For children with #cleft conditions, #dentalcare is crucial. Operation Smile works with volunteer #dentists, offering comprehensive #oralcare and education to ensure healthy #smiles for life!
3.  Happy World Oral Health Day!  Smoking harms more than just your lungs - it wrecks havoc on your smile too!  Quitting can save your teeth and gums. Visit our website to learn more and take a step towards a healthier smile!  #WorldOralHealthDay
4. Are you ready for #WorldOralHealthDay? We want you to keep your #HappyMouth for life! Brush, floss, dentist, diet - that’s how you do it! And NEVER STOP showing us your #BrushandBoogie reels! tag @ToothieBeaver on Instagram
5. It's #WorldOralHealthDay! #WOHD serves as a vital reminder that a healthy mouth is integral to our overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Thanks for helping us spread the word globally this #WOHD24!

Hashtags to Use

1. #WOHD
2. #WOHD2024
3. #WOHD24
4. #WorldOralHealthDay
5. #HappyMouth

Looking for more ideas on how to celebrate? Check out our Pinterest board for World Oral Health Day to see how other people are creating meterials online to celebrate.

Through education, outreach, and engagement, dental professionals can inspire individuals to prioritize their oral health and take proactive steps towards achieving a healthy smile for life.

---