Child oral health promoted as part of World Children’s Day

The Council of European Dentists is using World Children’s Day (20 November) to draw attention to the importance of oral healthcare in children.

The CED said in a tweet, ‘Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, but it can be prevented, and is much easier and cheaper to treat in its early stages. Schedule regular dentist visits’.

World Children’s Day is a Unicef-organised global action day for the promotion of children’s rights around the world. It aims to raise public awareness and raise funds to help the millions of children who are out of school, deprived of protection and uprooted around the world.

This year marks 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child – 30 years of child rights that have helped transform children’s lives worldwide.

The CED’s message falls in line with the  World Health Organization (WHO)’s promotion of World Children’s Day. The WHO stated: ‘This World Children’s Day we celebrate 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

‘Every child deserves a long and healthy life and that includes a right to: be safe, play, clean air, vaccines, education, and health’. The WHO’s message supports the tagline of World Children’s Day, which is ‘For every child, every right’.

Change starts with learning

Irish Dentistry is keen to advocate the importance of oral health as part of World Children’s Day. Will you do something extra in your practice today to promote the importance of oral health in children?

We believe that change starts with learning – how will you get your young patients on board? Perhaps you will promote the importance of regular dental check-ups for children, the use of fluoride varnishes where appropriate, or teach your young patients correct brushing techniques.

to earn more about World Children’s Day, visit unicef.org/world-childrens-day. Let us know how you’re promoting child oral health in your practice, by tweeting @IrishDentistry.