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| Colgate and IDA successfully complete large mass contact oral health awareness programme
Free dental check-ups conducted across 1,000 towns as part of Oral Health Month 2009 with the support of 17,500 dental professionals Mobile dental vans alone conducted 1.2 lakh free dental check-ups in underprivileged areas across 37 cities | |||
| 18 Nov 2009
, Mumbai
: Oral Health Month, the oral health awareness campaign by Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited and the Indian Dental Association, successfully concluded its 6th edition this year. Initiated in 2004 as a 6-city programme with an aim to establish and promote the importance of good oral care habits, this year OHM went on to become the largest mass contact oral health awareness programme in India covering 1,000 towns for the first time, with the support of 17,500 dental professionals. The programme intensified its efforts to take the oral care message to underprivileged areas through a mobile dental van initiative that reached 37 cities and provided over 1.2 lakh free dental check-ups. Over 4 lakh school children across India were given valuable tips on oral care hygiene through the special School Oral Health Awareness programme conducted during OHM 2009. In order to reach out to the public at large, this year, free dental check-ups were also organised at dental colleges across India. World Oral Health Day was commemorated on September 12, 2009 with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, flagging off mobile dental vans in Delhi. The Delhi flag-off was followed by mobile dental van roll-outs in cities such as Chandigarh, Lucknow and Ahmedabad. Well-known television actress Mona Singh lent her support to the programme reaching out to underprivileged children during free dental check-ups at mobile dental vans, encouraging young children to follow the oral health advice of the IDA dentist. This year, OHM also extended its support to NGOs like Pratham, Akshara Foundation, Save the Children, Salaam Balak Trust among others, by conducting free dental check-ups for NGO workers and children and distributing free samples. A first for OHM this year were the free dental check-ups which were conducted especially for the Indian Coast Guard in Chennai. Mr. Roger D Calmeyer, Managing Director, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited said, “When we began our plans for OHM 2009, we knew that if we were to make it a truly successful mass contact programme, we needed to spread the message of good oral hygiene in as many cities as we could. When we set the target of 1,000 towns, we knew it would be a logistical challenge. Yet, dental professionals across India came forward to conduct free dental check-ups and share valuable tips with people to prevent the irreplaceable loss of teeth due to tooth decay. We are proud that Oral Health Month now has the shape of a national movement, and we hope to carry the momentum in subsequent editions, so that we can move towards our mission of Zero Tooth Decay.” Dr. Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association said, “Oral health is very important and critical for overall health. Numerous studies over the years investigating the mouth-body connection have shown an association between oral health and general health. In India, where oral health is mostly neglected due to lack of awareness, Oral Health Month is a month-long intensive programme that helps bridge the awareness gap. We are delighted to partner Colgate once again for this extremely important initiative to benefit our society.” About Oral Health Month Oral Health Month is an oral health awareness campaign that establishes and promotes the importance of good oral care habits. Conducted in association with the Indian Dental Association (IDA), Oral Health Month this year, spanned across two months beginning in September through October 2009. Oral Health Month is a platform to generate awareness about the need to take care of one’s oral health. Oral Health Month which was first initiated by Colgate and IDA in 2004 as a 6-city programme with 70 participating dentists, went on to cover 200 cities with over 10,000 dentists participating through free dental check-ups and awareness generating activities in its 5th edition last year. Oral Health Month grew 5 times in scope this year with all the activities conducted across over 1,000 towns through September and October 2009. About Colgate-Palmolive (India) Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is India’s leading provider of scientifically proven oral care products with multiple benefits at various price points. The range includes toothpastes, toothpowder and toothbrushes under the “Colgate” brand, as well as a specialized range of dental therapies under the banner of Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. These have become an essential part of daily oral hygiene and therapeutic oral care in India. The Company also provides a range of personal care products under the ‘Palmolive’ brand name. Colgate has been ranked as India’s #1 Most Trusted Brand across all categories for four consecutive years from 2003 to 2007 by Brand Equity’s Most Trusted Brand Survey. It is the only brand to be in the top three since the survey commenced in 2001. Prior to this, Colgate was also rated as the #1 brand by the A&M – MODE Annual Survey for India’s Top Brands for eight out of nine years during the period 1992 to 2001. For more information about Colgate’s business and products, visit the Company’s website on the internet at www.colgate.co.in. About the Indian Dental Association The Indian Dental Association, formed in 1946 is the largest recognized body of dental professionals in India, which has helped shape the National Oral Health Policy. Working towards the promotion, encouragement and advancement of dental and allied sciences the IDA has a national presence with 27 state branches and over 200 local branches spread across India. It has a combined strength of around 15,000 dentists and student members registered with it. |
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