UP Dental Alumni Association, Oral-B launch Smile Pilipinas
NEWS RELEASE
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Procter & Gamble Distributing
(Phils.), Inc.
6750 Ayala Avenue Office Tower
Ayala Center, Makati City
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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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