Kenvue, a global leader in health and wellness products, is collaborating with the Department of Health (DOH) supported by American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) to champion the importance of comprehensive oral care and reduce the alarming prevalence of oral health issues in the country. Together, they aim to create healthier, brighter smiles for all Filipinos.
The current state of oral health in the Philippines remains a pressing public health concern. According to the 2018 National Survey on Oral Health (NSOH), 80 million Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, a staggering number that places the country among the highest globally for dental caries, as revealed in a 2019 WHO study by Petersen. Additionally, 54 million Filipinos are affected by gum problems, a leading cause of tooth loss, with the average 70-year-old having only seven teeth remaining (Cruz et al., 2019).
Several factors contribute to the nation’s oral health challenges:
- Accessibility: With a low dentist-to-population ratio and 60% of dentists concentrated in Manila, many areas lack access to adequate dental care.
- Limited Insurance: The Philippines is predominantly a self-pay country, making preventive dental care financially inaccessible for many.
- Excessive Sugar Consumption: The average Filipino consumes over 13 tablespoons of sugar daily, nearly triple the recommended amount (Philippine Statistics Authority).
- Inadequate Oral Health Practice: Proper brushing techniques are not widely practiced and limited awareness of mouthrinse as an important habit to complement brushing and flossing
- Reactive Dental Visits: Alarmingly, 50% of Filipinos visit a dentist only when they experience oral health problems.pulse
To address these challenges, the DOH has launched the Ngiting 70:20 initiative, which aims to ensure Filipinos retain at least 20 teeth by the age of 70. Key components of this program include:
- Educational Campaigns: Initiatives like Ibigay ang Ibig ng Bibig promote fluoride toothpaste use, healthy diets, regular dental visits, and proper oral care routines.
- Dental Home Concept: Making dental services accessible, continuous, and family-centered across all life stages.
- PhilHealth Support: Expanded partial coverage for preventive oral health services.
Kenvue underscores the importance of holistic oral care by emphasizing gargling with mouthwash as a vital habit to complement brushing and flossing. Research shows that brushing alone cleans only 25% of the mouth. However, adherence to proper brushing techniques is low, with most individuals brushing for just 48 seconds instead of the recommended two minutes. Moreover, only 2% to 10% floss effectively, with daily flossing being even rarer, the importance of mouthrinse has limited awareness, therefore contributing to lack of basic health practice.
To bridge this gap, Kenvue promotes the use of essential oils-based mouthwash, which has been proven to significantly enhance oral health outcomes. A 2022 study by Milleman et al., published by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, found that incorporating a mouthrinse formulated with four essential oils reduced plaque, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding up to five times more effectively than brushing and flossing alone over a 12-week period. Kenvue also initiates a partnership with Operation Smile to raise awareness about cleft lip and palate, and more importantly, to educate cleft patients and their families on the importance of good oral hygiene, which we recognize as essential health for all.
Kenvue and the DOH are committed to empowering healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to guide their patients towards improved oral care routines. Addressing this challenge means reaching not only dental practitioners but also other health care providers like general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, paediatricians, and family medicine practitioners to provide awareness and immediate action. Together, they aim to combat tooth loss and promote healthy smiles across all age groups.
“At Kenvue, we believe that oral health is the key component of overall health. By working alongside DOH and AmCham, we hope to make proper oral care accessible and actionable for every Filipino,” said Penn Policarpio, Managing Director Philippines and Indonesia.
