A two-day symposium to promote oral health awareness will bring together a raft of dental professionals, health practitioners and community health advocates tomorrow.

The inaugural Bermuda Oral Health Symposium has been organised by the Department of Health to mark Oral Health Month, with the theme “A Healthy Mouth is A Happy Mind”.

Dr Irving McKenzie, the Chief Dental Officer of Jamaica, will be the keynote speaker for the opening session.

Members of the Bermuda Dental Association and Bermuda Dental Council will take part in the event, along with representatives from Harvard University, the University of The West Indies, and UTEC, Jamaica.

The symposium, which will be held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, will focus on paediatric dental care and the science and use of fluoride in dentistry.

Attendees will also benefit from presentations on professional liability, implantology and other critical aspects of dentistry.

Describing the line-up as “cutting edge”, Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said: “We are dedicated to elevating public awareness about the critical importance of oral and mental health.

“Research has proven that oral health problems can lead to frequent pain experiences, social isolation and low self-esteem, which reduces the quality of life and in turn diminishes mental wellbeing.”

Throughout this month, a series of activities promoting oral health will be held, including a banner display at City Hall, a poster competition, school assembly visits, and radio and social media podcasts.

For more information about the symposium and Oral Health Month activities, e-mail oralhealth@gov.bm.