Karachi: Every year, the FDI World Dental Federation works meticulously and enthusiastically to organize the World Oral health day. This year was no different. FDI magnanimously plan their campaign for oral health 2021 onwards. In a virtual meeting, chaired by WOHD Task Team Chair Prof. Paulo Melo, the theme for 2021-2023 was termed ‘Be proud of your mouth’. This was an unconventional step taking the motivation from the oral health advisor. The event made it intrinsic to the individual which they felt would be more welcoming.
Be Proud Of Your Mouth
An introduction was given on how promotion would be done with an oriental looking picture frame encompassing one’s smile. This was considered a creative concept which will emphasize on how valuable a healthy smile is. Moreover, stress was placed on how its never too late to start taking care of oral hygiene, but it was always better to start early.
The importance of oral health for overall health
Celebrating their partnership with Planmeca, 3M and Wrigley, they also introduced a brilliantly made animated video. The video aimed to promote the initiative to promote oral health. A series of posters to attract to the use of smile frames in helping to raise awareness on WOHD 2021 were also presented. The posters met with an appraisal from other members of the team. A junior speaker explained how to easily employ the smile frames on social media profiles and pictures. The posters were also shown to be customizable depending on the target audience and campaign needs.
An initiative to motivate adults as well as children
The next speaker was Unilever’s global marketing director for oral care, Monika Fleischhacker who spoke of celebrating their partnership with the FDI on WOHD each year. She commented that the theme for the next year was focused on ‘night brushing’, which was a lagging aspect of children’s as well as adult’s oral hygiene. An initiative to motivate adults as well as children to perform this obligation was stressed in light of a campaign. Such a step was more digitally focused keeping in view the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, social media influencers can promote the campaign which had quite an outstanding response than conventional means.
Nearing the end a brief question-answer session was conducted, which allowed the viewers to express their thoughts which were replied by the committee.
-by Dr Yasir Israr
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
