Smile for Life!

This year, Listerine teamed up with the Malaysian Dental Association (as part of its global initiative) for World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2015 to remind all Malaysians that good oral hygiene is important for overall health. The event also stood as an advocacy platform, targeting individuals, families, communities and governments to take action and help reduce burden of the global disease.
WOHD 2015 was launched by Deputy Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya at 1Utama Shopping Complex. The event is celebrated annually, around the globe, along with 200 other countries on March 20. It lauds the benefits of a healthy mouth and promotes awareness, stressing the importance surrounding oral health. Listerine, a global event partner, organised roadshows along with educational initiatives and programmes with dentists, to provide free dental check-ups for the public.
The theme for this year was “Smile for Life”. The event underlined the merriment of happiness, positivity and a lifetime of smiles. Said Hilmi: “The Oral Health Division under the ministry, has adopted the tagline “A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles” years ago. It is therefore my fervent hope that Malaysians will be empowered to care for their teeth and oral health, and smile for life!” A fitting theme, from the event, it look as though Malaysia was well on its way to become a nation with healthy smiles, especially with active effort from the government to help curb oral disease.
President of the Malaysian Dental Association Dr Teh Tat Beng also mentioned that research has shown a link between oral health and general health, as the former can be compromised by a number of chronic and infectious diseases such as diabetes. “Diabetes itself can result in delayed wound healing and worsening of gum disease if it goes untreated,” he added.
According to a recent study:
• 9 out of 10 adults in Malaysia will experience tooth decay;
• 65.4% are aware that untreated gum diseases affect pregnant mothers and her unborn child;
• 78.1% are unsure that brushing alone only cleans 25% of one’s mouth; and
• 30% of Malaysians have oral health problems that affect the quality of their life.
“There is much more to be done in order to improve oral health awareness among Malaysians. Hence, Listerine is working hand-in-hand with the Malaysian Dental Association to bring greater awareness and understanding to all Malaysians that dental health is a healthcare priority,” added Johnson & Johnson Malaysia country director of retail group Stuart Crabb.
Also present at the event was WOHD 2015 organising chairman Dr Chow Kai Foo. He said, “It is very common for people to only see a dentist when they are experiencing pain or some other dental problem. Hence, WOHD 2015 is a good time to remind Malaysians that good oral care matters and should be a major priority for everyone.”
A strong advocate in oral health care, Listerine, also co-organised the “Most Number of Participants in a Mouthwash Rinsing Event (12 Hours)”. The endeavour took place from 10am to 10pm at High Street Concourse, 1Utama Shopping Centre. The undertaking certainly drew attention to the significance of proper oral habits and managed to attract over 2,464 participants, making it into the Malaysia Book of Records.