Lagos – The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) and Unilever Nigerian Plc. on Thursday said they would collaborate to create awareness on how to achieve good oral hygiene to reduce incidences of tooth decay.
The NDA President, Dr Olabode Ijarogbe , made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos, ahead of the 2016 World Oral Health Day (WOHD),
that the partnership would be facilitated through the Pepsodent Toothpaste brand.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WOHD is marked annually on March 20, and the theme for this year is “It All Begins Here, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.”
Ijarogbe said “this collaboration will emphasise on the major contributions oral health makes to our lives.
“It focuses on us as Nigerians with a view to changing our attitudes with respect to our oral health needs.
“WOHD is marked every year to increase awareness for oral health, as well as the impact of oral diseases on general health, well-being and national economies.
“It is also to remind us that healthy teeth, gums and mouth generally play crucial roles in our ability to relate, work or study without constant nagging and painful toothache.
“The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to take measures to lower the incidence of oral diseases.’’
On the most prevalent chronic dental diseases, Ijarogbe said dental diseases were common, affecting children, adults and the elderly.
The NDA president explained that maintaining good oral hygiene came with many benefits, noting that “good oral hygiene also helps to boost our self-confidence and the health of our whole body at large.
“Poor oral health can predispose us to systemic problems; this year’s theme reminds us that the mouth is an integral part of the body.
“Healthy smile and the ability to speak and eat without pain and discomfort are critical to general health and well-being; also, a good oral health makes for a healthy society.”
In his remarks, Mr Robbert de Vreede, the Vice President, Brand Building, Unilever Nigeria, said “about 90 per cent of the world population suffer from debilitating oral diseases.
“This is not always necessary because people can be educated on how to take better care of their teeth and gum.
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“This year, we intend to educate one million Nigerian children directly on how to take care of the teeth; their parents will be involved too.
“It will be a 21-day behavioural change programme and as time progresses, we hope to get to a level where we will have positively reached and affected 10 million children.”
Also, Bunmi Adeniba, the Category Manager of Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria, said the company’s oral health care brands such as Pepsodent focused on all age groups.
According to her, emphasis is however placed on children because there is need to instil in them the culture of observing good oral hygiene, especially brushing twice daily.
Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, commended the efforts of the two organisations in their bid to promote good oral hygiene.
She urged them to also reach out to slum communities as many children there had dental caries.
Dr Kolawole Obagbemiro, the Secretary-General, NDA , urged Nigerians to take oral health as an integral part of general health as the mouth is very important in the make-up of man.
He advised that people should brush their teeth at least two times daily and visit a dentist at least twice annually. (NAN)
