“If parents and guardians do not start teaching their children how to take care of their teeth, Fiji’s famous ‘Bula Smiles’ may soon become a thing of the past.”
This stark warning from the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, set the tone for this year’s World Oral Health Day celebration organised by Colgate Palmolive and the Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) at the Makoi Birthing Unit on Friday, 20 March 2026.
At the heart of the message was a simple truth: oral health begins at home. Dr Lalabalavu urged parents and caregivers to take greater responsibility for shaping their children’s habits, particularly when it comes to diet.
“In urban schools, dental caries, or cavities, are becoming an increasingly concerning issue. Parents, please be mindful and provide your children with snacks and meals that support their teeth and overall health,” Dr Lalabalavu stated.
Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu delivers his remarks at the World Oral Health Day celebration.
The global theme, “A happy mouth is a happy life”, was echoed locally through the message “Mum you first”, reinforcing the critical role mothers and caregivers play in modelling and maintaining good oral hygiene practices.
“Parents please be mindful and provide your kids with snacks and meals that support their teeth and overall health. Additionally, it is essential to visit the dentist regularly and maintain oral hygiene by brushing teeth twice a day and flossing daily.”
The event also marked the launch of the National Oral Health Survey Report 2012, centred on strengthening health systems and improving access to care.
Adding a deeply personal perspective to the celebration was FNU’s final-year dental surgery student Marciarose Matnan from the Federated States of Micronesia. Her journey into dentistry is rooted in a stark reality—on her home island of Yap, there are only two dentists serving the entire population.
FNU’s final-year dental surgery student Marciarose Matnan shared her dental journey at FNU.
“Back home, many people are dying from oral cancer due to betelnut chewing. There is very little awareness about the risks, and people do not prioritise oral health,” she shared.
For Matnan, studying dental surgery is more than a career—it is a mission. She hopes to return home equipped with the knowledge and skills to advocate for change, raise awareness, and improve access to care.
“Everything we consume enters through the mouth first. If oral health is neglected, it can lead to many serious health problems,” she explained.
As Fiji celebrates World Oral Health Day, the message is clear: protecting the nation’s iconic smiles requires more than awareness—it demands action at every level, beginning in the home.
ENDS