This is a prgram that we all should support and take an active part of as a mother, so we can give our kids a BIG SMILE in the future. :-)
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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