Unilever takes oral care to schools

The management of Unilever Nigeria, manufacturers of leading brands in foods, home care and personal care, have called on Nigerians to imbibe good oral care in order to stave off diseases.

Speaking at this year’s World Oral Health Day, Senior Vice President Oral Care CloseUp, Ms. Marie-Anne Aymerich, said the company sponsored the event in 70 countries, Nigeria inclusive, with the overall goal of sensitising school kids to the importance of oral care in maintaining overall health.

“During this event, we teach the kids to wash their teeth the right way, which is up and down, and to also brush day and night.

“We know that if we teach the kids to brush the right way, they won’t have gum diseases or other oral problems,” Aymerich said.

According to experts, only 60 per cent of the world’s population enjoys access to oral health care, while between 60 and 90 per cent of school children worldwide have dental caries.

Aymerich said Unilever was cognizant of the fact that toothache was the number one reason for absenteeism from schools in many countries, hence the decision of the multinational organisation to take the message of oral care to schools.

“Oral health also has a huge impact on general health and on other issues such as self-confidence and social interactions, speaking and sleeping.

“The first line of oral health care is with the individual through prevention, especially good brushing habits and regular check-ups,” Aymerich advised.

She said this year’s efforts would focus on protecting the teeth and mouth of the population throughout life, from childhood to adulthood. The theme we have chosen is “Celebrating healthy smiles,” she informed.

The Regional Brand Director, CloseUp Africa, Mr. Kosala Hewamadduma, noted that “Oral health is omnipresent in our lives, in every simple daily activity: when we smile, talk, eat or sing. “This is the reason that World Oral Health Day exists, to remind us of the importance of oral health and how it directly effects so many things we do and enjoy in our daily lives.”

Hewamadduma said since the WOHD is an international day to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of looking after oral hygiene to everyone old and young, “Unilever has been at the forefront of raising awareness and encouraging individuals, families, communities and governments to take action and help reduce the global burden of oral disease.”

He noted that Unilever was working towards reaching 10 million Nigerians in five years. “Working together helps us unite our efforts to prevent the epidemic of caries, gum diseases and tooth loss and helps our communities to maintain proper dentition for life,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate has appointed the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, as Nigeria’s Corporate Oral Health Ambassador in the Oral Health Development Partner Category.