Unilever and Kenya Dental Association (KDA) have announced a countrywide campaign to help educate Kenyans on oral health.
Declared during the commemoration of the World Oral Health Day, the ‘Smile for life’ campaign was launched in Naivasha and will be rolled out in the whole country. KDA chairperson Dr Jane Wamai noted that the campaign will help Kenyans understand the importance of dental health to help reduce the burden of tooth decay and gum disease.
“Oral health is an important component of good health, and good oral health is a fundamental human right. KDA is therefore pleased to join other stakeholders in celebrating world oral health day 2015 and reach out to children and the general population with oral health education,” she said.
The campaign which coincided with the World Oral Health Day 2015 saw residents in Naivasha receive free dental check-ups and teeth brushing lessons. Unilever, through its Close-Up toothpaste brand, supports this initiative as part of its global commitment to help one billion people improve their health and well-being and also works with the World Dental Federation to encourage twice daily brushing with toothpaste.
“Unilever is proud to partner with KDA in sensitizing the public on oral hygiene during this year’s World Oral Health Day,” noted Marc Engel, Unilever CEO for East Africa and emerging markets. “Many Kenyans still do not brush their teeth twice a day every day with toothpaste as recommended by dentists. This proves that we need to step up awareness through campaigns like World Oral Health Day, in partnership with the country’s health experts.”
The World Dental Federation recommends brushing teeth twice a day with toothpaste. This is aimed at reducing tooth decay, a painful chronic but preventable disease.
