As part of its ongoing commitment to improving oral health awareness, Pepsodent, a leading global toothpaste brand, has launched its ‘Talk to a Dentist’ campaign in Osun and Ondo States. The campaign commenced in September 2024 and will run through October 2024, aiming to democratize access to dental care through free consultations and treatments.
Campaign Overview
Pepsodent is collaborating with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) to engage various community leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who has warmly welcomed this initiative. Oiza Gyang, Marketing Head of Oral Care at Unilever Nigeria, highlighted the campaign’s goal to empower people to prioritize their oral health, especially considering that 3.9 billion people worldwide are affected by tooth decay. Gyang stated, “It is heartening to see Pepsodent leading the fight against oral diseases in Nigeria by providing free oral health education, screenings, and treatments.”
Addressing Dental Care Challenges
The initiative addresses the prevalent lack of access to dental services in Nigeria, which has led to untreated conditions such as cavities that significantly affect quality of life and productivity. Gyang emphasized the importance of taking oral hygiene seriously and acknowledged the vital role of the NDA in addressing these challenges. The partnership aims to empower millions of Nigerians to improve their dental hygiene.
Mary Gbemisola Akindola, Brand Manager for Pepsodent, reiterated the brand’s commitment to eradicating oral diseases through its collaboration with the NDA. She pointed out that Nigeria has a dentist-to-population ratio of 1:54,000, far above the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1:7,500. Without programs like this, many Nigerians would struggle to receive necessary dental care.
Ongoing Outreach and Impact
Dr. Tope Adeyemi, President of the NDA, emphasized the significance of Unilever’s contributions to improving oral health in Nigeria through various outreach programs and campaigns. He noted that the NDA would continue to work closely with Unilever to advance oral health care nationwide.
The ‘Talk to a Dentist’ campaign has already visited several local government areas in Ondo and Osun States, including Okitipupa, Ondo West, Akure South, Odigbo, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, and Osogbo. The initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing oral health awareness and access to dental care in Nigeria.