Firms launches ‘brush day and night’ campaign to boost dental care

By Doris Obinna

Pepsodent has launched Brush Day and Night (“Do The 2”) campaign to promote oral hygiene habits. It was launched on Monday in Lagos, ahead of the 2026 World Health Oral Day (WOHD) celebrated globally on March 20, in collaboration with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA).

The campaign will run in 17 states, with strategic focus on Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu, aiming at reaching 50 million Nigerians.

Its Brand Manager, Lauretta Amie, noted that the brand aims to instill lifelong oral health habits in children and adults alike by combining awareness, education, and engagement activities in schools and communities.

“The ‘Do The 2’ campaign is a call to action for Nigerians to brush twice daily and maintain regular dental visits. Through our collaboration with the NDA, we aim to reach 500,000 people, driving awareness on prevention, detection, and treatment of oral health diseases,” Amie said.

Head, Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe, stressed that the partnership with Unilever clearly demonstrates the power of public-private collaboration in advancing national health priorities, adding that thousands of school children have been reached in many states in Nigeria through the School Oral Health Programmes.

She acknowledged the critical role of the private sector and professional associations in advancing public health, stating that Unilever’s investment in oral care initiatives and the NDA’s dedication to professional excellence remain invaluable in driving progress.

NDA President, Dr. Emedom Elias, described the celebration of the 2026 World Oral Health Day as an important milestone to highlight the importance of oral health.

Elias stated that this year’s campaign theme, “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life,” underscores the importance of oral health to overall well-being.

According to him, oral health should not be seen as healthy clean teeth and gums alone, but also its role in influencing one’s ability to perform tasks such as eating, speaking, learning, working, and relating with others.

He called on the government and other relevant stakeholders to prioritize oral healthcare as an important component of general health. He emphasized the need for both partners to work together to increase access to quality oral healthcare, promote oral health education and awareness, and integrate oral health into the primary healthcare system.

Head, Supply Chain, Unilever, Abayomi Alli, said the campaign reaffirms the company’s commitment to extending its impact beyond high-quality products, using partnerships, technology, and community outreach to ensure every Nigerian has access to education, resources, and care to eradicate oral disease and promote healthier lives.

He said: “Good dental hygiene is essential not only to avoid cavities and gum disease but also to prevent systemic health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. The campaign was embarked upon with the intention of reinforcing the core message of protecting the family from cavities and bad breath.

“WOHD is a moment to recommit to transforming oral health awareness and access to care in Nigeria. With the ‘Do The 2’ campaign, Pepsodent is proud to play a role in building healthier smiles across the nation.”