TEHRAN – The health ministry has announced a nationwide oral health campaign scheduled for May 6 to 8.

Highlighting oral and dental health’s pivotal role in the overall health of individuals and improving the quality of life and health indicators, it is stated that there is a two-way relationship between periodontal diseases and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infection, premature birth, and low birth weight babies.

Oral and dental diseases are known as the most common non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the campaign will aim to motivate people to value and take care of their mouths and understand that by doing so, they can also help protect their overall well-being.

The themes of the three-day event are as follows.  

May 6, ‘Mouth is the gateway to health’.

May 7, ‘Oral and dental health, child health’.

May 8, ‘The role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in oral and dental health’.

The oral health campaign will be a collaborative effort involving various organizations including the ministry of education, welfare departments, kindergartens, schools of dentistry, medical councils, municipalities, mass media, and social media platforms.

FDI World Dental Federation theme for the 2024 campaign will be ‘A happy mouth is a happy body’,  encouraging people to understand the benefits of a happy, healthy mouth by shedding light on the intricate link between oral health and general health.

Health is a universal right

Health is a universal right and responsibility that is not limited to any specific age group, culture, or nationality, Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has said.

All members of society from their childhood to old age have the right to access high-quality health services without financial worries.

Access to clean drinking water, soil, air, and food is a fundamental right and responsibility, the Health Ministry’s website quoted Einollahi as saying.

He made the remarks on the occasion of World Health Day 2024, calling upon decision-makers to create conducive environments for individuals to actively participate in creating and maintaining health, from home to the community and the environment.

He went on to say that the family health program and referral system in Iran is one of the most advanced health programs in the world. It aims to enhance everyone’s access to health services, promote well-being, and achieve significant welfare objectives.  

Launched last year, the program seeks to foster a healthy, vibrant society through national and collective efforts at all levels of society.

The upcoming National Health Week will set health priorities for the next year in alignment with the national plans and priorities.

MT/MG