Effective Oral Care Reduces Infection—Iluyemi

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Senior Director for Africa, Global Government Relations and Public Policy at Procter & Gamble (P&G), Mrs Temitope Iluyemi, has stressed the need to create awareness for proper oral care.

Speaking at an event to announce the provision of free dental checks and a month’s supply of Oral B toothpaste and toothbrushes to members of the Jiwa community in Abuja, Mrs Iluyemi declared that “effective oral care reduces infection and promotes health.”

P&G collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Health through its Oral- B brand in furtherance of its commitment to promoting oral health and hygiene.

The leading consumer goods company explained that the main rationale behind the partnership is to touch and improve the lives of people in the communities where it operates.

“Oral hygiene should not be overlooked, most especially in terms of its effects on the general health and nutrition of people.

“Effective oral care reduces infection and promotes health, thus the need to drive awareness. The World Oral Health Day presents an opportunity to amplify this oral health drive which our brand has actively driven through the year,” Mrs Iluyemi said.

She further encouraged Nigerians not to underrate the effect of poor oral hygiene as it can negatively affect confidence and social skills, explaining that, “Oral health is very essential to human’s general health and wellbeing.”

The senior staff of P&G said her company was happy to promote oral health and hygiene in Nigeria, stating that the Oral B brand has over the years partnered with dentists across the country to elevate the role of oral health of over 10 million Nigerians through its Mobile Dental Clinic Program.

While commending P&G for its efforts in promoting oral health, the Director of Dentistry Division of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Bola Alonge, noted that “proper oral health practices are important to ensure good general health.”

“A lot of people have not had dental checks. As a result, we need to leverage this World Oral Health Day to drive oral health sensitization at the grassroots especially in areas with limited access to quality health care,” she said.

Mrs Alonge added that, “This is why we partnered with P&G and Oral-B on this community outreach where dentists will be available to conduct free oral health check for community members who will also a month supply of Oral-B toothpaste and Oral B toothbrush. The outreach will also include oral health training for the community leaders and other members”.