World Oral Health Day, led by the FDI World Dental Federation each year on March 20, is a global platform dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of oral health as a cornerstone of overall well-being. It brings together dental professionals, health organizations and communities worldwide around a shared message: better oral health leads to better lives.

This year’s theme, “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life,” reflects what we see every day in practice. Oral health influences how people eat, speak, connect and live with confidence at every stage of life. From early prevention in childhood to maintaining function and dignity in later years, a healthy mouth is essential to quality of life.

While World Oral Health Day serves as a key moment of global visibility, the work of our Fellows and Sections continues on this day and every day year-round. Across the world, Fellows are actively engaged in education, outreach and clinical care that advances oral health within their communities. What March 20 provides is a moment to bring that ongoing work into focus; to highlight it, align it and elevate it as part of a unified global effort. It is a deliberate opportunity to showcase impact and reinforce the collective voice of the profession.

This reflects the mission of the College: advancing dentistry in service of humanity. Our Fellows are not only clinicians but advocates, educators and leaders who translate expertise into meaningful action. By participating in World Oral Health Day, we help ensure oral health remains an essential part of broader health conversations worldwide.

The College looks forward to receiving from Sections and Fellows images and stories that capture the wide range of activities undertaken to mark World Oral Health Day 2026, from community outreach and educational programs to humanitarian initiatives and public awareness campaigns. These contributions will highlight the diversity and impact of our global network and will be featured as part of our collective gallery, showcasing how our Fellows bring the mission of oral health for all to life around the world.