Nigeria: Pepsodent Enhances Consumer Engagement with Oral Health Campaign

Pepsodent, a global toothpaste brand, has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Dental Association to launch an oral health campaign in schools and underserved communities nationwide.

The oral health campaign, titled “Pepsodent Talk to a Dentist Activation,” is targeted at 20 communities across nine states, including Lagos, Rivers, Plateau, Ogun, Kano, FCT, Delta, Edo, and Bayelsa.

Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, Business Lead, Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria, Oiza Gyang, explained that the programme was initiated to bring oral health care services and other oral health promotional activities to underprivileged and under-served areas to reduce the burden of untreated oral diseases as envisaged by the FDI World Dental Federation.

Gyang emphasized the company’s dedication to advancing oral health for both children and adults. The commitment extends to extending the campaigns to virtually all rural communities in Nigeria.

She highlighted that statistics indicate 90% of the global population experiences at least one oral disease during their lifetime. These conditions lead to adverse effects such as pain, discomfort, social isolation, and a loss of confidence.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr Oluwole Olusanya, noted that the essence of the campaign is to deepen the knowledge of good oral hygiene practices by encouraging and educating young pupils across the country.

“We are here to teach them how to brush their teeth properly, find out those who have teeth infection, offer some treatment to them and refer those who need more advanced treatment to dental centres around the state,” Olusanya said.

Also speaking, Assistant Category Manager – Oral Care, Chinonyerem Opara, explained that the decision of Unilever as a company to embark on the campaign to communities is borne out of the need to transform individuals who were once unaware of the importance of oral hygiene into advocates for healthier smiles.