Dental professionals and Unilever join forces to improve oral hygiene for 50 million people in Nigeria

The launch of Pepsodent's 2026 World Oral Health Day campaign, "Do The 2," aims to tackle poor oral hygiene and prevent dental diseases by urging Nigerians to adopt the habit of brushing twice daily, as announced during a press conference in Lagos, attended by notable figures including Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe, Lauretta Amie, Dr. Emedom Elias, Zainab Obagun, Abayomi Alli, and Elvis Twumasi.

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The campaign, which will run from March 16 to March 21, is set to span 17 states with a target of reaching 50 million Nigerians, and will include activities such as school engagement programmes, public activations in high-traffic areas, and dental camps, with a focus on Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

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Brand Manager for Pepsodent, Lauretta Amie, described the initiative as a nationwide call to action to instill lifelong oral hygiene habits among Nigerians, emphasizing the importance of brushing twice daily and maintaining regular dental visits.

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Amie stated that the "Do The 2" campaign aims to reach 500,000 people, driving awareness on prevention, detection, and treatment of oral health diseases, through collaboration with the Nigerian Dental Association.

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Health authorities have expressed support for the initiative, with Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe, Head of the Dentistry Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, highlighting the significance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing national health priorities.

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Dr. Uzoigwe noted that thousands of school children across several states have already benefited from school oral health programmes, and emphasized the importance of investments by private-sector players and the commitment of professional bodies in improving access to oral healthcare nationwide.

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President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Emedom Elias, described the 2026 World Oral Health Day as a critical platform to spotlight the importance of oral health to overall well-being, emphasizing that oral health affects our ability to eat, speak, learn, work, and interact with others.

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Elias called on the government and stakeholders to prioritise oral healthcare as an integral part of the country's health system, stressing the need to expand access, promote awareness, and integrate oral health into primary healthcare delivery, citing the theme "A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life" as a reminder of the importance of oral health.

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Abayomi Alli, Head of Supply Chain at Unilever Nigeria Plc, stated that the "Do The 2" campaign reflects the company's broader commitment to improving health outcomes beyond product offerings, and is a moment to recommit to transforming oral health awareness and access to care in Nigeria.

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Alli warned that poor oral hygiene can lead to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, emphasizing that good dental hygiene is essential not only to avoid cavities and gum disease but also to prevent systemic health issues.