Guarding the Full Lifecycle, Starting from the "Teeth" — A Record of the "World Oral Health Day" Science Promotion and Public Welfare Clinic Series by The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Guarding the Full Lifecycle, Starting from the "Teeth" — A Record of the "World Oral Health Day" Science Promotion and Public Welfare Clinic Series by The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

    In celebration of the 19th World Oral Health Day on March 20, 2026, the Henan Geriatric Stomatology Continuing Education and Training Center, in collaboration with several other organizations, held a series of oral health science promotion and public welfare clinic activities from March 18 to 20. Centered around the theme "A Happy Life Begins with a Healthy Mouth," the series aimed to implement the "Healthy Mouth Initiative" and the "Geriatric Oral Health Promotion Initiative." It comprehensively promoted the concept of "Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management," with a special focus on two key demographics: the elderly and children. Through science lectures and free clinics, the activities sought to enhance oral health literacy across different age groups, embedding the idea that "Health Starts with the 'Teeth'" deep into the public consciousness.

The specific activities are detailed as follows:

1. Henan Provincial Experimental Primary School (March 18)

• Time:​ 14:00 - 15:10, March 18, 2026
• Location:​ Henan Provincial Experimental Primary School
• Participants:​ Approximately 300
• Organizers:
  1. Henan Stomatological Association
  2. Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
  3. Henan Geriatric Stomatology Continuing Education and Training Center
• Core Focus:​ "Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management" during childhood.
• Main Activities:​ Included opening remarks, popular science lectures on "The Importance of Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management (Childhood)," "The Harm and Prevention of Dental Caries in Children," and "The 'Golden 30 Minutes' for Dental Trauma," alongside a large-scale concurrent free clinic.
• Target Audience:​ Teachers and students of Henan Provincial Experimental Primary School.
• Key Message:​ Emphasized that "to keep your teeth in old age, you must start early—from your teeth and from childhood." Focused on普及 (disseminating knowledge on) preventing childhood dental caries and emergency handling of dental trauma.

2. Zhengzhou Innovative Experimental School (Primary Division) (March 19)

• Time:​ 14:00 - 15:10, March 19, 2026
• Location:​ Zhengzhou Innovative Experimental School (Primary Division)
• Participants:​ Approximately 300
• Organizers:
  1. Henan Stomatological Association
  2. Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
  3. Henan Geriatric Stomatology Continuing Education and Training Center
• Core Focus:​ Similarly concentrated on "Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management" during childhood, extending the primary school series.
• Main Activities:​ The流程 (agenda) was similar to the first site, including opening remarks, lectures on "The Importance of Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management (Childhood)," "Say No to Little Cavities!", and "Oral Health Management Strategies," followed by a large-scale free clinic.
• Target Audience:​ Teachers and students of Zhengzhou Innovative Experimental School (Primary Division).
• Key Message:​ Aligned with the first school's objectives, aiming to convey core knowledge and concepts of children's oral health to another primary school community.

3. Taikang Community · Yuyuan (Elderly Care Community) (March 20)

• Time:​ 15:00 - 17:50, March 20, 2026
• Location:​ Taikang Community · Yuyuan (Elderly Care Community)
• Participants:​ Approximately 200
• Organizers:
  1. Henan Stomatological Association
  2. Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
  3. Henan Geriatric Stomatology Continuing Education and Training Center
• Core Focus:​ "Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management" during old age, with particular attention to geriatric oral health.
• Main Activities:​ Included opening remarks, popular science lectures on "The Importance of Full Lifecycle Oral Health Management (Old Age)," "The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Diseases," and "Oral Health Management Strategies," culminating in an extended large-scale public welfare clinic.
• Target Audience:​ Elderly residents and staff of Taikang Community · Yuyuan.
• Key Message:​ Focused on correcting the misconception that "tooth loss is an inevitable part of aging," and普及 (disseminating knowledge on) the relationship between oral health and systemic diseases in the elderly, along with oral health management strategies for old age.

    The successful execution of this public welfare series vividly embodied the theme "A Happy Life Begins with a Healthy Mouth." From campuses to communities, and from childhood to old age, the three events not only delivered targeted oral health knowledge but also deeply ingrained the concepts of "Full Lifecycle Management" and "Prevention First." It marked a shift in health perspective—from passive treatment to active maintenance, from individual concern to family care. This was more than a simple series of science promotions and free clinics; it was a societal action aimed at elevating the health literacy of the entire population, infusing warm and steadfast strength into the dream of "Oral Health for All."