Oral care initiatives
Unilever Nigeria is a leading manufacturer of Oral care products such as Close up Fresh Red Toothpaste, Close Up Extended Protection Toothpaste, Close Up Expert and Popular Toothbrushes. From the launch of Close Up Red Gel toothpaste in 1975, the brand has continually endeavoured to provide for the oral health of Nigerians. This is being done through a number of dental campaign initiatives.
In 2001 the Nutrition and Dental health campaign was established with the aim of improving Nutrition/Dental Health Care awareness among the populace. This would be done by educating on good oral (dental) health care and practices among school children, mothers, and opinion leaders. These people are effective change agents at home in schools and in the community at large.
The program liaises with the Nigeria Association of Dental Students drawn from the four Dental schools in Nigeria, in visiting the school to teach pupils on oral hygiene, proper tooth brushing, dental checks with the Activation Agency.
Between 2004 and 2005 a total of nine hundred and twenty six thousand one hundred and fifty two (926,152) pupils were educated while thirty thousand and twenty three (30,023) had basic intervention oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing) done.
Free dental checks
In addition to the dental health campaign, Close Up supports the Nigerian Association of Dental Students to carry out free dental checks across the country among rural dwellers through the CODEH (Committee on Dental Education and Health) program. The program involves a dental visit to rural communities mainly targeted at market traders, traditional rulers, school children and rural dwellers who have little or no access to adequate oral care.
In August 2005, Unilever in partnership with the FDI World Dental Federation and the Nigerian Dental Association launched the Live.Laugh.Learn Campaign, a programme to improve oral health among Nigerians via practical, sustainable programmes that are activated in local markets. This approach is rooted in the deeply held conviction of these organisations that good oral care is a key building block for general health and wellbeing.
Pears hospital campaign
Child bearing and rearing has a very important cultural value in Nigeria. This, in a way, explains the popularity of and the importance attached to our Pears Hospital Campaign geared at maternal health/baby care. Directed at expecting and nursing mothers, the campaign teaches the delicate art and science of caring for babies and mothers.
In 2005, the campaign reached about One Million, Two Hundred Thousand mothers. Unilever also struck the right cord with its partner in this campaign (National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding which serves as testimonial for Pears brand and its’ hospital campaign.
