Dental News - Oral Health Month in Singapore starts at FDI congress

FDI Worldental Daily

Thu. 3. September 2009

save

The annual Oral Health Month in Singapore was launched yesterday at the FDI Annual World Dental Congress. Joined by the guest of honour Prof. K. Satku, Director of Medical Services in Singapore, representatives from the FDI, the Singapore Dental Association (SDA) and sponsor, Colgate-Palmolive, schoolchildren from Singapore, received free oral health screening in the Tropics Atrium at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Singapore and aims to improve oral health by offering free dental screenings to every Singaporean. This year, more than 200 private dentists have participated in the programme, said a SDA spokesperson. The screenings will take place during weekends over the course of September.

The oral health status of Singaporeans has improved slightly. According to the Adult Oral Health Survey conducted island-wide in 2003, almost half (46 per cent) of the respondents indicated that they visit the dentist at least once a year; the average mean DMFT was 8.1 and about 10 per cent of the respondents were caries free. This was an improvement from the last survey conducted in 1996 where only slightly more than a quarter (27 per cent) of the respondents indicated that they visit the dentist at least once a year. The average mean DMFTwas 9 and only 6.9 per cent of the respondents were caries free. School children in Singapore enjoy good oral health with a mean DMFT (12-year-olds) of 0.54 (reported in survey done in 2003).

(This article is published with permission by the FDI World Dental Federation.)

To post a reply please login or register

Road to Prague: FDI congress starts in four weeks

PRAGUE, Czech Republic: The FDI World Dental Congress holds a special place in the annual dental calendar. This year’s edition will bring the global ...

FDI Oral Health for an Ageing Population project: Advancing healthy ageing

PRAGUE, Czech Republic: Population ageing is one of the defining demographic trends today. By 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and older is expected...

Pledge to “Act on Mouth Health” at the 2019 World Oral Health Day official launch

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: FDI’s World Oral Health Day (WOHD) campaign provides a platform to raise awareness and encourage action in favour of good oral ...

Beyond the clinic: FDI congress sessions place oral health in a wider policy context

PRAGUE, Czech Republic: The 2026 FDI World Dental Congress (FDIWDC26) is taking place at a significant point for the oral health profession. As countries ...

In-depth look at oral health and healthy ageing during 2018 World Oral Health Forum

Each year, the FDI World Dental Congress features the World Oral Health Forum (WOHF), an in-depth session meant to spark discussion on the latest topics ...

Tenth IDEM Singapore starts next week

SINGAPORE: Next week from 13 to 15 April, the tenth edition of the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) will take place in the flamboyant city...

FDI World Dental Congress 2020—China is shaping future of oral health

SHANGHAI, China: China is a powerful ally in achieving a global community commitment to health. Recognising that health is fundamentally linked to ...

Exocad showcases the latest in digital dentistry at FDI World Dental Congress

SHANGHAI, China: At the forefront of digital dentistry in China, exocad continues to drive innovation and shape the future of dental technology. Two weeks ...

Oral health in focus at recent European Union debate

BRUSSELS, Belgium: On 9 October, the Council of European Dentists (CED) and eight other European Union umbrella health organisations held a debate regarding...

HERBADENT takes root at FDI congress

ISTANBUL, Turkey: HERBADENT products gently combine the power of nature with a contemporary approach to preventive dentistry. The company has created a ...

Education

Live webinar
Thu. 27 August 2026
2:30 pm EST (New York)