The Oral Health Section of The Department of Health will hold its inaugural Bermuda Oral Health Symposium, on February 6 and 7, 2025, at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) in Hamilton. This symposium, held under the theme “Advancing Oral Health Through Collective Responsibility,” aims to bring together dental professionals, health practitioners, and community health advocates to advance oral health awareness and education in Bermuda.
Minister of Health, Kim Wilson said, “February is celebrated as Oral Health Month in Bermuda, under this year’s theme: “A Healthy Mouth is A Happy Mind” . 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 well-being.
“The Official Opening will be held Thursday, February 6th, and we are privileged to have Dr. Irving Mckenzie, the esteemed Chief Dental Officer of Jamaica, as our keynote speaker for the opening session. I want to thank our Oral Health Team led by our Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Joy Pickstock, for curating an exceptional lineup of presentations that is both cutting-edge and Progressive.”
Over the course of two days, the symposium will focus on pediatric 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. Esteemed members from academia, including representatives from Harvard University, the University of The West Indies, and UTEC, Jamaica, will participate in this event.
We are pleased to have in collaboration, members from the Bermuda Dental Association and Bermuda Dental Council supporting this event. In keeping with the theme, the symposium will adopt a hybrid format, allowing for both virtual and in-person participation. This approach ensures that a wider audience can engage with the valuable content and discussions.
Throughout February, a series of activities will be organized, including a banner display at City Hall, a church service at Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church on February 1st, a poster competition from February 26-28 at City Hall, school assembly visits, and radio and social media podcasts.
For more information about the Bermuda Oral Health Symposium and Oral Health Month activities, please email oralhealth@gov.bm.
