'Pepsodent' to improve oral health of ten million children

As the world marked this year’s World Oral Health Day last Friday, Unilever Ghana deepened its commitment towards ensuring a cavity free Ghana by targeting at least ten million children by the year 2020.

Pepsodent in partnership with the Ghana Dental Association (GDA) is taking the bold step to promoting the culture of brushing day and night in the country, which has roundly been recommended by health practitioners.

Delivering her speech at the colourful event held at the Efua Sundalrad’s Park in Accra, Brand Building Director, Unilever Ghana, Nana Yaa Kissi disclosed that her outfit is committed to doing business in a sustainable environment hence the decision to promote oral health as part of its corporate social responsibility.

She says figures from the World Health Orgamization (WHO), show that nearly 96 per cent of the adult population between 35-44 years and about 40 per cent of 12 year olds in Ghana are affected by tooth decay.

Unilever Ghana says studies have also revealed that children who have good oral hygiene and are free from toothache, are more likely to be high achievers in school compared to those with toothache due to cavities and poor oral hygiene.
This year’s World Oral Day was under the theme “It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy body”.

“Oral diseases in children can impact their self-esteem, and they may avoid laughing or smiling due to the perceived poor appearance of their teeth. Thus brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste like Pepsodent helps prevent cavities,” Nana Yaa Kissi stressed.

Nana Yaa Kissi emphasized that the outmost goal of her outfit is to help improve the oral care of at least 10 million children by 2020 through its “Brush Day and Night Campaign”.

“It is a goal we are well on target having already reached 7 million children since 1995,” she added.
On his part, Vice President of the Ghana Dental Association, Dr Paapa Pupulampu said that World Oral Health Day celebration is aimed at increasing awareness for oral health as well as the impact of oral diseases on general health, well-being and national economies.

According to him, the success was possible with efforts from various stakeholders including major partner and sponsor Unilever Ghana.

He says the theme reflects the major contributions oral health makes to “our lives and focuses on us as a people with a view to changing our attitudes with respect to our oral health needs”.

School pupils were drawn from some schools in Accra, including Liberty Avenue Primary and Kanda MA School, to witness the occasion, as they were taking through a demonstration by Dr Pupulampu on how best to brush their teeth day and night.

Officials present included Bossman Owusu, Communications analyst from the UNDP, Dr Asante-Appiah, President of Ghana Dental Association, representative from the Health Ministry, Dr Addo Yobo and a host of others.