Global toothpaste brand,Pepsodent has commenced School Activation program in primary schools across the nation to promote oral health education in Nigeria.
This is even as the global toothpaste brand in collaboration with Nigeria Dental Association, NDA, and FDA, stated that the school activation program across the nation will deepen consumers engagement and activate schools to promote oral health education.
In a statement to the media, the company confirmed that the school activation program titled ‘Pepsodent Brush Day and Night School Program’ is targeted at educating and reaching a minimum of 2,000,000 pupils between the age of 6 and 11 in 6 states that include Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, and Edo.
Speaking during the kick-off of the activation program held at St. Saviour Primary School in Lagos, Marketing Head, Beauty& Wellbeing and Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Oiza Gyang, said the oral hygiene program has been designed to engage children in Primary schools for the next three months after which students will be rewarded for their full participation.
While speaking on the mechanism of the 21-day challenge, Gyang stated that the activation would happen five days a week while the activation team would return after 21 days to reward students who complete the challenge. Studies have shown that behavioural change happens 21 days after repeated action. Oral conditions are among the world’s most widespread chronic diseases. In Nigeria, it is the leading cause of absenteeism among school children. She averred.
She added: The whole idea about this challenge is to encourage young kids to imbibe the habits of good oral behavior adding that Oral health is critical to any individual’s well-being and productivity.
“We are passionate about families and children, and we believe that complete oral protection for the family is achievable. We believe that with this activation and the level of awareness we are creating, a lot of young pupils would see the significance of having good oral hygiene,” she said.
She further stressed that the activation program aims to encourage oral behavioral change among young school kids, which would lead to their general well-being and good quality of life.
According to her, the goal of the activation program is to reach as many children as possible with the critical message of brushing twice daily with Pepsodent Triple Protection to protect against cavities and ensure fresh breath and white teeth.
Also speaking, the Category Manager, Oral Care, Pepsodent, Eva Ogudu, stated that Unilever as a company remains a force for good in the quest to entrench a culture of oral hygiene that would consequently lead to the overall well-being of Nigerians.
Ogudu noted that the activation is being carried out in line with the mission of spreading outstanding oral health around the world such that people can unlock the power of their smiles.
She further stated that the company’s ambitious target is to reach 10 million children by 2025, disclosing that the campaign has reached over 6 million school children nationwide.
In his remarks, the President of, the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr (the person’s name is missing here). stressed the need for parents and caregivers to inculcate the habits of regular brushing of teeth among their children relatively early to keep bacteria under control and consequently prevent oral infections such as tooth decay or gum diseases.
Adeyemi noted that failure to take care of one’s oral health could have a profound negative effect on other parts of the body and result in severe health conditions.
