On this World Water Day, as the world reflects on the essential role of clean water in human survival, it is critical to highlight an often-overlooked aspect: oral health. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. But beyond drinking, hygiene, and agriculture, water plays a vital role in maintaining healthy smiles—yet millions still lack access to this basic necessity.
In 2015, during the Unspoken Smiles mission in Jacmel, Haiti, I witnessed firsthand the harsh reality of water scarcity and its direct impact on oral health. In this vibrant yet underserved coastal community, children relied almost exclusively on rainwater collected in large barrels at their schools. There was no consistent access to running water, let alone fluoridated water for cavity prevention. When we arrived to provide oral health education and distribute toothbrushes, a pressing question lingered: Without clean water, how could they sustain the very hygiene practices we were teaching?
The children in Jacmel, like many across the developing world, often had to make a difficult choice—whether to use their limited water supply for drinking or for oral hygiene. Brushing their teeth with contaminated water posed health risks, but without brushing, they faced an equally dangerous outcome: severe tooth decay and gum disease, which could lead to systemic infections. It was a powerful and humbling experience that reinforced the urgent need to address the water crisis as an oral health crisis, too.
The Intersection of SDG 6 and Oral Health
The link between water and oral health is undeniable. Fluoridated water is considered one of the most effective public health measures to prevent cavities. Yet, according to the WHO, over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water, leaving entire populations vulnerable to preventable dental diseases. SDG 6 isn’t just about providing clean water—it’s about enabling communities to break free from cycles of disease and poverty.
In regions like Jacmel, the absence of clean water means children face an increased risk of dental caries, infections, and malnutrition due to pain and difficulty eating. Dental care is often unavailable or unaffordable, making prevention through clean water and education the only viable solution. Unspoken Smiles has since worked tirelessly to integrate oral health into global water initiatives, advocating for the inclusion of dental hygiene in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs worldwide.
Scaling Solutions for a Healthier Future
As we mark World Water Day 2025, it is imperative that policymakers, health advocates, and corporations work together to implement sustainable solutions that integrate oral health into the broader clean water agenda. Initiatives like community-based rainwater purification systems, fluoridated water programs, and school-based hygiene education can transform lives, ensuring that the next generation does not suffer the preventable consequences of poor oral health.
Ten years after that unforgettable experience in Jacmel, the lessons remain clear: water is life, and it is also the foundation of a healthy smile. If we are to achieve SDG 6 by 2030, we must recognize that the fight for clean water is also a fight for better health—one that starts with every child, every school, and every community in need.
On this World Water Day, let’s commit to ensuring that no child has to choose between a sip of water and a healthy future.