Promoting good oral health in Ghana: The success story of Pepsodent and GDA

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. The sooner a person learns proper oral hygiene habits — such as brushing twice daily, visiting a dentist, flossing, and limiting sugar intake - the easier it will be to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues.

According to the World Health Organisation, 60 to 90 percent of school children have at least one cavity, and between 15 and 20 percent of adults aged from 35 to 44 have severe gum disease. In Ghana, only a fraction of adults and children practice proper oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene leads to cavities and gum disease and may also been linked to further complications like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

In Ghana, the Ghana Dental Association is the professional body that oversees dentistry. The association is a strong promoter of oral health and regularly undertakes many activities to promote optimal oral health for the people of Ghana. In the quest to achieve this, the GDA has collaborated with several institutions and agencies both in the health and non-health sector. Among the partners of the GDA, Unilever’s Pepsodent brand has emerged as one of the strongest partners with a clear commitment to improve oral health in the country.

Manufactured by Unilever, Pepsodent is Ghana’s favourite oral care brand with a strong family heritage and a reputation for offering high quality products and innovations to protect the Ghanaian smile. Many consumers will recognize that the Ghana Dental Association has endorsed Unilever’s Pepsodent range of toothpaste and toothbrushes, a clear testament that the products are recommended by dentists. It is only natural that a high-quality brand like Pepsodent will team up with the GDA, a highly respected association on a mission to improve oral health in Ghana.

However, improving oral health outcomes for an entire nation is a complex project that needs a comprehensive approach. That is why Pepsodent has rolled out a comprehensive approach built on four main pillars- Brush Day & Night Campaign, Community programmes, Dentist activities and the celebration of the now famous World Oral Health Day (WOHD).