Change how you brush your teeth from today
Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan - Deputy Minister of Health, Chairman of the National Medical Council - along with leaders of departments and branches and more than 1,600 people attended the Rally, walk and launched to respond to World Oral Health Day (March 20), taking place on March 14, at Cau Giay Park (Hanoi).
With the aim of raising awareness about oral health, the World Dental Federation has launched World Oral Health Day and has been organizing it annually in countries since 2007.
The World Dental Federation calls on Dental Associations of countries to jointly act to strengthen oral health care for children and communities with the message "Beautiful smiles - happy life". This activity aims to encourage each individual, family, community as well as governments of countries to contribute to reducing oral diseases for the community.
Launching activities to respond to World Oral Health Day 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Cao Binh - Chairman of the Vietnam Odonto-Stomatology Association - affirmed that World Oral Health Day is truly a festival for colleagues in the odonto-stomatology industry nationwide to change the awareness and behavior of each member of our community to care for oral health for children, themselves, relatives and for the community with the slogan 2:2:2:2. Specifically, brushing teeth 2 times/day; brushing teeth at least 2 minutes/time; limiting eating 2 hours after brushing teeth; periodic dental check-ups 2 times/year.
In 2026, the Association continues to launch a month of free oral health examination, consultation and care for the community, so far more than 50 public and private dental and maxillofacial facilities have registered to respond to the program, and will examine more than 47,000 children and people nationwide.
World Oral Health Day is not only an annual event of the Odonto-Stomatology industry, but also an opportunity for the whole society to join hands to change awareness and behavior in taking care of oral health for themselves, their families and the community.
90% of people suffer from oral diseases
Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan - Deputy Minister of Health - emphasized the importance of oral health for the health and quality of life of each person, as well as the efforts of the Vietnamese health sector in improving people's oral health.
According to the Deputy Minister, in Vietnam, according to the results of the national oral health survey announced in 2019, more than 90% of people suffer from oral diseases at different levels, directly affecting health, quality of life and labor productivity. This is a public health issue of concern. This situation shows the particularly important role of oral health prevention and communication education in the community, especially for children.
Stating the role of oral health, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan emphasized: "A healthy jaw not only makes a smile more radiant, but also helps people eat, communicate and work more effectively. Therefore, oral health is an inseparable part of overall health.
Over the years, the Ministry of Health has had many directives and implemented activities to strengthen oral health care for the community such as strengthening communication and health education; standardizing the professional system and expanding oral care models; deploying free dental examination and consultation nationwide.
The Vietnam Odonto-Stomatology Association has also coordinated with units to implement many activities in response to World Oral Health Day, contributing to raising community awareness about oral disease prevention. These activities are recognized by the international dental community as an effective model with profound social significance.
This year, the program in response to World Oral Health Day takes place with many practical propaganda activities to call on the community to build proper oral care habits.
These are communication activities, counseling and guidance on oral care at the event area; community exchanges, spreading the message of healthy living through proper oral care; walking to accompany and spread the message "Beautiful smiles - happy life".
