NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

Healthy Smiles

In response to the growing problem of dental decay among Nepali children, Nepal Lever Ltd., the leader in oral care products in Nepal and the manufacturer of leading brands of fluoridated toothpastes like Pepsodent and Close Up, have launched the "Pepsodent Miles of Healthy Smiles 2001" Oral Health Program in partnership with United Mission to Nepal, a prominent non-government organization.

Designed to address the lack of awareness of oral health prevention and high prevalence of dental decay in children under the age of 12 years, "Pepsodent Miles of Healthy Smiles 2001" will provide education, oral health care tools and free dental examinations to more than 50,000 school children across Nepal this year.

One in two children in Nepal under the age of 12 years suffers from dental decay, and most of this disease remains untreated due to poor access to oral health care services and lack of awareness of proper oral hygiene. Creating private-public health partnerships such as "Pepsodent Miles of Healthy Smiles 2001" can improve the oral health of young children across the nation.

Oral health is integral to overall health and social well-being, and a simple measure such as brushing twice a day with a good fluoridated toothpaste such as Pepsodent is effective in reducing dental decay. By providing knowledge and oral self-care skills to children at an early age, we can ensure stronger teeth, healthy smiles and overall well-being for a lifetime, said Dr. Robert Yee, Director of the United Mission to Nepal Oral Health Programme.

Combined with the resources of Nepal Lever Ltd. and the oral health personnel of the UMN Oral Health Programme, "Pepsodent Miles of Healthy Smiles 2001" will empower school children and teachers in major centres throughout Nepal.

The program includes:

—Free dental examinations for school children under the age of 12 years and referral for dental treatment

—Oral health education, pamphlets, stickers and posters

—Tools for oral self care

—Seminars and educational materials to empower teachers to teach oral health effectively

"At Nepal Lever Ltd., it is our mission to improve the quality of life of the people of Nepal by providing affordable products which take care of local needs," said Anish Roy, marketing manager for Nepal Lever Ltd. "We believe healthy and beautiful smiles for life is an important and achievable goal.

"We therefore are committed to use our resources to make a difference in the oral health of children in Nepal. We are attempting this at two levels, firstly by locally manufacturing international quality fluoridated toothpastes which prevent dental caries in children, and secondly through better oral health education and community empowerment."

The "Pepsodent Miles of Healthy Smiles 2001" program, which started early this year, has already covered more than 15,000 students in parts of Rupandehi district and the western part of Nepal. For more information on the program, please contact the United Mission to Nepal Oral Health Programme at 1-257612 or email: ohp@umn.org.np.