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Toothpaste brand, Pepsodent, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Dental Association, has embarked on an oral health campaign for schools and communities in underserved areas nationwide.
The oral health campaign’ Pepsodent Talk to a Dentist Activation’ is designated for 20 communities in nine states, including Lagos, Rivers, Plateau, Ogun, Kano, FCT, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa.
The program, which kicked off on July 6, 2023, at Pakoto Secondary School, Ifo, Ogun State, was concluded on November 7, 2023.
Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, Business Lead, Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria, Oiza Gyang, said the program was initiated to bring oral health care services and other oral health promotional activities to underprivileged and under-served areas to reduce the burden of untreated oral diseases as envisaged by the FDI World Dental Federation.
Gyang said the company remains committed to promoting oral health for children and adults as it intends to take the campaigns to virtually all the rural communities in Nigeria.
She noted that statistics further revealed that 90% of the world’s population suffer from at least one form of oral disease in their lifetime, which negatively impacts causing pain, discomfort, social isolation, and loss of confidence.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Oluwole Olusanya, noted that the essence of the campaign is to deepen the knowledge of good oral hygiene practices by encouraging and educating young pupils across the country.
He explained that it was gladdening to note that the level of consciousness for oral hygiene among Nigerians has increased considerably since the take-off of the initiative by the professional body and Unilever Nigeria.
Also speaking, Assistant Category Manager – Oral Care, Chinonyerem Opara, said the decision of Unilever as a company to embark on the campaign to communities is borne out of the need to transform individuals who were once unaware of the importance of oral hygiene into advocates for healthier smiles.
Opara noted that the company is committed to changing the narrative by ensuring that those residing in rural communities receive oral healthcare when confronted with any oral disease.
Speaking during one of the activations, the Principal, Sanmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Mrs. Josephine Salako, noted that the initiative by Pepsodent and NDA would go a long way to create much-needed awareness about oral hygiene.
Other places where activations were held include Makoko Community Yaba, Lagos State, Ogoni Community, Ogoni, River State, Community Secondary School, Elikkpokpowdo, Rupokwu, Rivers State, Ode-Itsekiri Community, Warri South, Delta State and Owhelogbo Grammar School, Owhelogbo, Delta State.
