A program that aims to bring back the
healthy smiles of Filipinos has been launched by the UP Dental Alumni
Association (UPDAA) in partnership with global oral care brand Oral-B. The
program, called Smile Pilipinas and launched in time for the 100th year of the
UP College of Dentistry, aims to uplift the deteriorating state of oral health
in the country through an extensive campaign that enjoins the support of each
and every Filipino.
According to UPDAA President Dr. Jocelyn L.
Tan of the UPCD, the program was conceptualized in response to alarming results
of a study that revealed 9 out of ten Filipinos suffer from dental caries and
worse, the Philippines has the 2nd worst
rate of decayed, missing and filled teeth in all of Asia. “We cannot let this
happen to our citizens and our children,” added Dr. Tan. “We need to do
something but we, the oral care professionals, cannot do it alone. We need the
support and cooperation of everyone – the parents, the educators and ordinary
citizens. And that’s the reason we launched Smile Pilipinas.”
The movement has found a strong supporter
in Oral-B, the brand known worldwide for its commitment to promoting healthy
smiles. “When the opportunity to be a key partner for Smile Pilipinas was
offered to us, we knew we had to be a part of it.This is a great opportunity
for Oral-B to do something concrete about improving the quality of oral health
in the Philippines, kick-starting a movement that will involve both the
professional body as well as regular consumers.’ said Suranjan Magesvaran, Procter
& Gamble Vice President, Home Products, Power and Oral Care, Asia.
During the launch which coincided with the
centennial celebration of UP College of Dentistry (UPCD) and spearheaded by
UPDAA, the three focus areas of the program were presented, namely, Advocacy,
Public Good and Fund Raising.
Under communication, Smile Pilipinas will
call upon Filipinos – inside and outside of the Philippines -- to get onboard
and help spread inspiration for better oral health. The program has five fundamental messages: 1) Our smiles are
fundamental to our identity, 2) Let’s bring oral health within reach of all
Filipinos, 3) Everyone can easily help improve oral health in the country, 4) We
need to take care of our children’s teeth, and 5) We should all practice better
oral health care habits.
Its Public Good initiatives include Unang
Ngipin Patibayin and SuperSmileCon2015. Unang Ngipin Patibayin is a public
health initiative organized in partnership with Pateros and Pasig to provide
oral health education and preventive measures for children and parents. SuperSmileCon2015, on the other hand, is an
oral wellness fair for kids with free dental consultations, dental varnish
application, games, stage shows, and dental health education.
To sustain its activities, the program will
be accepting public and corporate generosity of time, talent, treasure, through
donations, sponsorships and sale of Smile Pilipinas merchandise sales via
retail partners.
Top actress and Oral-B brand ambassador Iza
Calzado, who graced the launch of Smile Pilipinas, likewise thanks both
partners and echoed the concern over the country’s deteriorating oral health
condition. “Let’s not take this important aspect of our health for granted. As
our oral health professionals have repeatedly said, oral health is a vital part
of over-all health. It’s part of our personality, our heritage as a Filipino.
Let’s maintain the warmth and beauty of our smiles by learning how to care for
our mouth, gums and teeth.”
With the country’s top oral health
professionals joined by the world’s leading oral care brand in launching the Smile
Pilipinas, there may yet be hope for the state of oral health in the country.
But, as Magesvaran stressed, there’s a lot of work to be done. “It’s very
important that Filipinos across the country understand the importance of good
oral health that leads to a beautiful, healthy smile. That’s why we enjoin
everyone to support this project so it can attain its mission of “100% Healthy
Smiles for every Filipino.”
Adds Dr. Tan: “Oral health cannot be seen
as separate from our total health and hygiene. If we all work together, we can bring
oral health within reach of all Filipinos. “
*P&G Calculation based on Nielsen sales
information from July 2012 to June 2013
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