Oral health advocates marked World Oral Health Day on March 16, 2026, with a renewed push to make dental care a national priority in Nigeria. The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), in partnership with Pepsodent, launched a nationwide campaign under the theme "A happy mouth is a happy life." NDA President Emedom Elias Martins stated that over 3.5 billion people globally suffer from oral diseases, a burden Nigeria shares. He stressed that poor oral health affects eating, speaking, learning, and social interaction, often leading to low self-esteem and systemic health issues.
Many Nigerians delay dental visits until pain becomes unbearable, hindered by cost, access, and low awareness. Martins called for integrating oral healthcare into the country's primary health system through policy and funding. The NDA-Pepsodent collaboration aims to bridge gaps through the "Do The 2" campaign, urging Nigerians to brush twice daily and visit the dentist twice a year. Lauretta Amie, Pepsodent brand manager, said the initiative targets 500,000 direct beneficiaries in Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Kano, with a reach of up to 50 million nationwide.
Programmes include school outreach, community dental camps, free screenings, and market activations to bring services to underserved areas. The focus is on prevention rather than emergency treatment, shifting long-standing health behaviour patterns.
Emedom Elias Martins is right to frame oral health as foundational, not cosmetic, yet integrating it into primary care means little without budgetary allocation. The NDA-Pepsodent campaign reaches millions with practical messaging, but corporate-led health initiatives shouldn't substitute government responsibility. When prevention depends on brand campaigns, the state's role narrows to endorsement, not delivery.
