A Happy Mouth is .... A Happy Life

World Oral Health Day 2026 Outreach – Ghana
Smiles on Wheels Foundation in collaboration with Ensign Global University

To commemorate World Oral Health Day 2026, Smiles on Wheels Foundation, in partnership with Ensign Global University, will implement a preventive oral health outreach programme at Akuse Islamic School, Ghana, on 27 March 2026.
This initiative is specifically designed to improve oral health literacy and promote preventive behaviours among children and families living in underserved communities, where access to oral health education and services remains limited. By adopting a life-course and community-based approach, the programme aims to strengthen sustainable oral health promotion within schools and primary health care systems.

Planned Activities
1. Oral Health Education for Pupils in Underserved Communities
Interactive and age-appropriate oral health education sessions will be conducted using demonstration models to teach correct toothbrushing techniques, caries prevention, and daily oral hygiene practices.

2. Nutrition and Oral Health Education
Sessions will highlight the relationship between diet and oral health, promoting healthier food choices and reduction of sugar consumption as a key preventive strategy.

3. Smile Pledge for Behaviour Change
Pupils will participate in a structured Smile Pledge initiative aimed at fostering personal responsibility for maintaining lifelong oral hygiene practices.

4. Training of Teachers for School-Based Sustainability
Teachers will receive structured training on basic oral health education methods to enable continued reinforcement of oral hygiene practices within classroom settings.

5. Teacher Commitment Pledge
Participating teachers will sign a commitment pledge to sustain oral health education activities and support behaviour change among pupils.

6. Capacity Building for Community Health Nurses and Frontline Health Workers
Community Health Nurses (CHNs) and other available health workers serving underserved populations will be trained on basic oral health promotion strategies to strengthen integration of oral health into primary health care outreach.

7. Provision of Educational Materials for Continuity
Teachers and trained health workers will be provided with oral health education materials, including flip charts and demonstration tools, to support ongoing school- and community-based oral health promotion.

8. Distribution of Oral Hygiene Kits
To support immediate adoption of healthy practices, toothbrushes and toothpaste will be distributed to pupils.

Expected Impact and Monitoring
The programme aims to reach over 200 pupils, teachers, and community health personnel in underserved settings. Monitoring indicators will include:
• Number of pupils reached in underserved communities
• Number of teachers trained
• Number of CHNs and health workers trained
• Proportion of pupils demonstrating correct toothbrushing technique
• Number of oral hygiene kits distributed
• Number of educational materials provided for sustainability
• Commitment of teachers and health workers to continue oral health promotion

By strengthening preventive oral health knowledge among underserved populations, the initiative contributes to reducing oral health inequalities and improving long-term oral health outcomes.
This outreach supports Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through integrated, community-driven, and equity-focused health promotion strategies.
Aligned with the vision of the FDI World Dental Federation, the programme emphasises the importance of preventive interventions and health system strengthening in advancing universal access to oral health care.

World Oral Health Day 2026 Theme:
A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life