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EDITORIAL |
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Year : 2018 | Volume
: 36
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1 |
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Pedodontist at play-“Say Ahh” WHO campaign
Sudhindra Baliga
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College, Sawangi(M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India
Date of Web Publication | 28-Mar-2018 |
Correspondence Address: Sudhindra Baliga Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College, Sawangi(M), Wardha, Maharashtra India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/JISPPD.JISPPD_38_18
How to cite this article: Baliga S. Pedodontist at play-“Say Ahh” WHO campaign. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2018;36:1 |

FDI recently launched a 3-year campaign for World Oral Health Day under the theme “Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health” encouraging people to realize the connection between their oral health and their general health and well-being (WOHD 2018).
As clinicians, “Say Ahh” is a phrase that is routinely used for dental examinations. We, as a pediatric dental community, should support this understanding amid parents and caregivers through the mouth and body connection.
As per WHO, the more conversant people are about the impact of oral health on their general health, the more likely they will be to engage in preventive oral care routines. In context to oral healthcare for children, we do have the knowledge and technology necessary to prevent it, still, most children experience dental disease, and a few children continue to experience the high rates of decay in India. The suitability and efficiency of prophylactic measures vary throughout the life of a child, and recommendations should be tailored to the needs of the individual. In addition, to be maximally effectual, preventive efforts should be commenced early in the life of the child. Although most children experience dental disease, a mouth free of caries and periodontal disease is a potentially reasonable goal for all children when they use currently available techniques.
The WOHD 2018 campaign aims to educate people that keeping a healthy mouth is crucial to keeping it functioning correctly and for maintaining overall health and quality of life. It highlights associations between certain oral diseases and noncommunicable diseases, raises awareness of common risk factors, and promotes good oral hygiene habits. As we begin the new year, I wish this year to be full of ISPPD activities dedicated to raising global awareness on the prevention and control of oral diseases in children in line with WHO.

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