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The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) is delighted to be a global partner on World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2014, a FDI World Dental Federation initiative.

World Oral Health Day (WOHD) takes place on 20th March 2014 and aims to raise awareness of oral health issues so that governments, health associations, the general public and companies can work together to achieve better oral health, and in turn, lead healthier lives. One of the primary aims of WOHD 2014 is to make it a truly global event and reach as much of the world’s population as possible. Currently 52 countries around the world have announced their participation in WOHD. FDI has enlisted four key partners for WOHD 2014: WOHP, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson and Henry Schein, all working together to promote good oral health.

WOHP will use this opportunity to communicate the importance of chewing sugar-free gum in maintaining good oral health, raise awareness of WOHP and lead best practice in oral care support. Chewing sugar-free gum after eating and drinking on the go helps keep teeth clean and healthy. In fact, “Chew for a Healthy Mouth” is one of the WOHD taglines.

“Wrigley is committed to making a real contribution to the oral health of the world and we are delighted to partner with FDI on World Oral Health Day to support its mission for healthier smiles,” said Matthew Kent, Global Manager, Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program. “Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals and snacks has been proven to help protect our teeth. On World Oral Health Day, we want dental professionals and patients to take one simple, enjoyable step to improve their oral hygiene: chew sugar-free gum after eating and drinking when on the go.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program on World Oral Health Day 2014,” said Jean-Luc Eiselé, Executive Director, FDI. “We are raising awareness of oral health issues so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths, and lead happier lives. Working together helps us unite our efforts to prevent the epidemic of caries, gum diseases and tooth loss and help our communities maintain proper dentition for life.”

Participating countries include:

About FDI

FDI serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programs, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy, and supporting member associations in oral health promotion activities worldwide.

World Oral Health Day 2014: a focus on protecting the teeth and mouth throughout life

• A World Day for a global issue: oral health
   
• FDI World Dental Federation presents a stylish and memorable new World Oral Health Day logo
   
• LISTERINE®, Unilever, Henry Schein and Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program become the official global partners for World Oral Health Day 2014

FDI World Dental Federation is gearing up for the celebration of World Oral Health Day 2014 (WOHD 2014), which will be held on the 20th March. Celebrated around the world, WOHD 2014 focus is on reminding young and old of the importance of protecting the teeth and mouth throughout life.

“Over 90% of the world’s population will suffer some form of dental disease in their lifetime but many of these can easily be treated or prevented with a good oral care routine,” commented FDI President Dr. Tin Chun Wong. “There are more than 2 million oral health care professionals around the world and in 2014 we hope that they will join together with us and our partners, to make World Oral Health Day a worldwide success.”

To kick-off the 2014 campaign, FDI is today presenting a revamped WOHD logo. The re-vitalized image represents a happy, healthy smile that transmits the essence of World Oral Health Day, a day where everyone around the world can take part in celebrating healthy smiles.

The new logo presented today will be accompanied by a creative campaign that celebrates the positive things that can be enjoyed when one has a healthy mouth such as laughing, eating or kissing. “We want to celebrate healthy smiles,” stated FDI’s Executive Director Jean-Luc Eiselé, reiterating this year’s campaign claim. “The vitality of the smile seen in our new logo is the same vitality that we want to see in everyone’s face on World Oral Health Day, be it in Nepal, Croatia or Chile. We want to spread the message of good oral health and the importance of a good oral care routine to local communities around the world and reduce the suffering and burden of oral disease.”

In addition, FDI confirmed that World Oral Health Day 2014 will be supported by four key global partners: Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies, Unilever, Henry Schein and Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program. The former two were partners in 2013 and are back in 2014.

“World Oral Health Day is key to raising awareness across the globe of oral health issues; however, it would be impossible to achieve the necessary global impact without the help of our partners,” emphasized the FDI President.

About World Oral Heath Day World Oral Health Day is celebrated every year on 20th March. The theme of World Oral Health Day 2014 is ‘Celebrating Healthy Smiles’. It reflects the major contribution oral health makes to our lives. Around the world, FDI member dental associations, schools, companies and other groups will celebrate the day with events organized under this single, unifying and simple message.

About FDI FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide, developing health policy and continuing education programmes, speaking as a unified voice for dentistry in international advocacy, and supporting member associations in global oral health promotion activities. Over the years, it has developed programmes, initiatives, campaigns, policies and congresses, always with a view to occupying a space that no other not-for-profit group can claim.

FDI works at national and international level through its own activities and those of its member dental associations. It is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and a member of the World Health Professionals Alliance (WHPA).

For more information, visit: www.fdiworldental.org

We asked attendees at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene and the FDI Annual World Dental Congress to pledge their commitment to educate patients about the importance of chewing sugarfree gum as part of a preventive oral care routine.

By the end of the meetings, nearly 900 people had signed the pledge. As a result, WOHP is delighted to be donating $5,000 to an international organization dedicated to improving the oral care of children worldwide.

Thanks to everyone who signed the pledge and helped WOHP support this important initiative.

This year at the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Istanbul, students from the International Association of Dental Students (IADS) took a break from their packed schedule to visit the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) booth and meet Wrigley’s Senior Principal Technology Scientist, Dr. Mike Dodds BDS, PhD.

Wrigley’s Senior Principal Technology Scientist, Dr. Mike Dodds, IADS President,
Pavel Scarlat and WOHP Global Manager Matthew Kent
 

Groups of students gathered at the booth to hear about research into the benefits of chewing sugarfree gum on oral health through saliva stimulation. They learned how saliva works to help neutralize plaque acids, remineralize tooth enamel and strengthen teeth.

The first students to RSVP to the presentation invitations received special Wrigley gift bags. The bags included the fourth edition of Saliva and Oral Health, a USB drive with patient education materials, fun reminders to Eat Drink Chew and, of course, plenty of Wrigley sugarfree gum.

ADS member, Rabee Toma with his Wrigley gift bag

Two esteemed and far-reaching dental meetings were held in August: the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in South Africa and the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Turkey. In addition to attending robust scientific sessions, thousands of the world’s dental professionals had the opportunity to see, test and sample the latest innovations and products to help them in their practice, including one extra, simple tool to improve their patients’ preventive oral care: Wrigley sugarfree gum.

At each meeting, an interactive Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) booth guided delegates through information stations to discover the science behind sugarfree gum and identify on-the-go moments during the day when gum can help protect teeth.  Chewing sugarfree gum increases the production of saliva, which can help neutralize plaque acid, wash away food particles and remineralize tooth enamel to strengthen teeth.

Dental professionals from around the globe tested their knowledge with our Chew IQ quiz, and experienced the oral care benefits of Wrigley sugarfree gum first-hand, enjoying free samples after each of the WOHP-sponsored refreshment breaks. What’s more, nearly 1,000 delegates signed our Pledge Wall, committing to educate their patients about the importance of chewing sugarfree gum as part of a preventive oral care routine that also includes brushing, flossing and regular check-ups. For each signature, WOHP will donate to charities that help improve the oral care of children worldwide.

                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                      Visitors take the Chew IQ Quiz