By Emmanuel Edukugho

Phase 2 of the Live Learn Laugh initiative, a global partnership project between Federation Dental International, FDI, Unilever Oral Care and the Nigerian Dental Association, NDA, has been launched in Lagos with the aim of raising awareness of oral health worldwide among school children, students and adult population.

The overall goal is to work measurably to improve oral health through encouraging brushing daily with fluoride toothpaste.

So far, awareness of oral health has been taken to over 250 schools in Nigeria.

Thabo Mabe, MD Unilever at the LLL Phase 2 launch, said Closeup and NDA have been working together for over 20 years to improve oral health in the country.

“According to him, this is the only public/private partnership of its kind working to improve oral health around the world through projects like Live Learn Laugh whose reach spans Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Initially established in 2004, the partners agreed to continue into the Second Phase from 2010.

The first phase evaluation of the global partnership between FDI World Dental Federation and Unilever Oral Care was recently published in the International Dental Journal. It was independently evaluated by a team led by Professor Cynthia Pine, Pro Vice-Chancellor International and Dean of the College of Health and Social care, University of Salford. Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

Dr. Orebanjo, President NDA, said that there are several diseases associated with dental sickness— such as stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and oral HIV/AIDS, pointing out that “poor oral health is a silent epidemic”.

He added that global oral disease is pandemic— there can be tooth loss, and even death.

It was disclosed that between 50-60% of school children are affected by dental disease which is on the increase in Africa due to too much consumption of sugar, chocolate, sweet, soft drinks, etc.

In Nigeria, research over the years has shown that dental health education will minimize the incidence of dental diseases and the acute pain associated with tooth ache.

Orebanjo said oral diseases are on the increase in Nigeria especially among school children and adults, and there is need to develop preventive strategies to curb the incidence.

“There is high level of ignorance on oral health, and need to create awareness, evolve attitude change to combat the problem”, adding, “sustained awareness programme should target oral health”.

Professor Kofo Savage, Consultant, explained the meaning of the three Ls— live to be treated of gum disease; learn about it and then laugh after.

She said there is poor knowledge about dental diseases and many people don’t go for dental treatment, and that oral health is poor in Nigeria.

After visiting all the six Geo-political zones of the country, it was found there is inadequate availability of oral care facilities. But in Lagos State, they are incorporating oral health care into the health care delivery system with provision of dental mobile vans.

Professor Bimpe Adebiyi, Chief Dental Surgeon of Nigeria, in her brief presentation, said the country is moving from one level to a higher level in oral health care delivery.

Representing the Minister of Health and Permanent Secretary who could not attend the launching, spoke on the policy perspectives of oral health in Nigeria.

She said that a survey showed that 44% of Nigerians have one decayed tooth, adding, “oral cancers are also prevalent, with environmental, social, economic and behavioural factors responsible.

She disclosed that a National Oral Health Policy will soon be launched, which has already been approved by the Federal Executive Council.