Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc. on Wednesday pledged to distribute 100 million oral health kits amongst Filipino children, as the corporate celebrates its one centesimal anniversary within the country.
“Our second priority, which is a seamless thing, is that we run an oral health program that is legendary the world over but is definitely world-leading within the Philippines,” Colgate-Palmolive Inc. Executive Vice President for Marketing in Asia Pacific Samir Singh told reporters in a media briefing.
“Going from now to 2035 in the following 10 years, we’ll do 100 million oral care kits, which is double what we have now done thus far,” he added.
In line with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), 7 out of 10 Filipinos, or 72%, suffer from dental caries, commonly often known as tooth decay. Nearly all of whom are school-age children starting from five to 12 years old.
The shortage of dental practitioners in schools also poses a challenge in promoting oral health and care. The Department of Education (DepEd) said that over 800 dental practitioners serve greater than 24 million learners nationwide.
“That’s 47,000 dental professionals for each one student, or one learner, but we will not be discouraged,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Cilette Liboro-Co said in her speech at an event.
“The well-being of the Filipino youth is our biggest priority. Together, we’re constructing a future where our kids grow up healthy, confident, and resilient,” she added.
To curb the cases of tooth decay amongst Filipinos, the Vibrant Smiles, Vibrant Futures (BSBF) program by Colgate-Palmolive has distributed 55 million oral care kits nationwide. Each kit features a toothbrush, toothpaste, and the “knowledge on how one can handle themselves higher.”
“We distribute kits yearly to school-age children to be certain that they begin their lives off with the fitting dental care habits, and we see that children who do that have a greater quality of life in the long term,” Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Marketing Director Bea Atienza told reporters at a media briefing.
The multinational company also launched free dental checkups valid until the top of the 12 months. Interested participants must answer the oral health questionnaire via the Colgate QR Code found on Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection packs.
“Whether their barrier is about fear, whether their barrier is about access, we are able to now bring them straight to a dentist, they usually can try this through Colgate,” Ms. Atienza said.
“We’re bridging the gap from basic oral care to preventive oral care in order that we are able to eventually go right into a more zero-cavity future,” she added. “And that’s really been a part of our thrust all of those many years.” — Almira Louise S. Martinez