Firm takes oral health awareness campaign to 16 schools in Lagos

To create awareness on oral health care, Pepsodent, a prominent toothpaste brand, recently embarked on activation in 16 primary schools in Lagos.

The exercise, was held simultaneously in all the schools across four locations, namely Makoko, Yaba, Surulere, and Ikeja. It was part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Oral Health Day.

Some of the schools visited in Lagos included Makoko Primary School; Adekunle Anglican Primary School; Aiyetoro African Church Primary School; Blooming Greens Primary School; Myhoung Military Primary School among others.

Business Lead, Beauty Wellbeing and Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria, Oiza Gyang noted that the commemoration of 2024 World Oral Health Day coincided with Pepsodent’s aspiration to reach 10 million children on oral health in Nigeria by 2025.

“So far, we have been able to reach 7 million children as far as oral health education is concerned. And this year, we plan to do an additional 2 million children. We have what we call the 21 days program where we ask kids to brush for 21 days. The idea is to make it a habit. So, we do so by giving them a calendar for 21 days to tick when they brush day and night. At the end of the 21st day, we reward them for keeping up with the habits,” she said.

Commenting on the activation, Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria, Eva Ogudu stated that the activation was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Dental Association(NDA) in 33 locations across the country.Ogudu stated that 18dentists as well as nurses were assigned to provide professional dental care services to the kids.

Also speaking, the Head Teacher, Adekunle Anglican Primary School, Makoko, Mr. Olasunkanmi Oseni, expressed profound appreciation to Unilever Nigeria for bringing sucha lofty initiative to the school stating that this would go a long way to promote good oral habits among the kids.

“The ‘Talk to a Dentist’ programme initiated by Pepsodent is very, very fantastic. Some of the children may not know how to brush their teeth, but as you are reminding them with rhymes and songs, they will memorize and allow the culture to be part of them,“ Oseni said.

Expressing appreciation to Pepsodent for bringing free dental services as well as education on oral health, a pupil of Aiyetoro Primary School, Makoko, Jack Friday, stated that “We are very happy about this programme. Now, we know why it is necessary to brush our teeth daily”.