September 20, 2008 is the 20th Love Teeth Day, and this year’s theme is “Care for the Dental Health of Middle-aged and Aged People” with the slogan of “Learn Proper Teeth Brushing Techniques”. Dental diseases among children and youths of Beijing Municipality have been under effective control thanks to the tireless efforts of governments at all levels and dentists over the past 20 years. The outbreak of decayed deciduous teeth among children has dropped from 89.72% in 1982 to the current 58.60% and the overall dental health has significantly improved. And the decay of permanent teeth among youths of  12  is below one tooth per person, up to the dental disease control standard proposed by World Health Organization.

However, the dental health of middle-aged and aged Beijingers hasn't improved much along with their better living standards. And dental diseases among middle-aged and aged people haven't drawn adequate attention. According to the result of the third national epidemiological survey on dental health, the occurrence rate of decayed teeth among middle-aged and aged Beijingers are 58.6% and 65.9% respectively, and the incidence rate of periodontal diseases is as high as 90%, the main cause for missing teeth among middle-aged and aged people.

According to another survey result, although the number of Beijing citizens having the habit of brushing teeth every day has gone up from 30% in the 1980s to 70%, the figure is a surprisingly low 10% for those who know the proper techniques of brushing teeth. Only with proper techniques of brushing teeth can people effectively prevent and reduce the occurrence of periodontal diseases.

Periodontal diseases not only result in the huge teeth loss among middle-aged and aged people, gravely affecting their chewing functions, dental focal infection thus caused can also lead to the outbreak of gastric diseases, heart, kidney, eye, joint and other systemic diseases. Periodontal diseases not only bring patients much suffering, it also adds to high medical expenses owing to its high incidence rate.

According to arrangements made by Beijing Dental Health Preservation Office, during the campaign of this year’s Love Teeth Day, dental health preservation stations at all districts and counties of Beijing are to go to local communities, government organizations, enterprises and other institutions to launch a comprehensive campaign of dental health promotion. During the campaign, “Learn Proper Teeth Brushing Techniques” will be the focus, and scientific knowledge of dental health will be lectured on to improve the health awareness of Beijing citizens. According to the spirit of the arrangement, at least three to four lectures on dental health should be held in each district or county between September 10 and September 25 to enable citizens to master proper techniques of teeth brushing. In addition, on Love Teeth Day, dental health preservation stations at all districts and counties of Beijing are to offer free dental check-up service for 100 middle-aged and aged people at the local gerocomiums or community health service centers and send out gifts of toothpaste and other dental products. We sincerely hope all citizens will join in the campaign of “Love Teeth Day” for brighter and healthier teeth.