National Oral Health Day on 12 September

Jakarta, September 12, 2011 – Indonesia Health Minister dr. Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, MPH., DR PH., which represented by Head of Development and Empowerment Health Resources dr. Bambang Giyatno MPH, is officially inaugurate the National Oral Health Month (BKGN) 2011 at Lapangan Gasibu, Bandung on Monday (12/9). Along the lines of BKGN, the partnership between Unilever, Indonesia Dental Association (PDGI) and Faculty of Dentistry Association (AFDOKGI) declares September 12 as the National Oral Health Day, in sequence of World Oral Health Day, which proclaimed by World Dental Federation since 2008. BKGN 2011 will last until October 29, 2011 at 14 Dental and Oral Hospitals (RSGM), Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) and PDGI branches in six cities.

Drg.Ratu Mirah Afifah.,GCClindent., MDSc,Professional Relationship Manager Oral Care at PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk, is expecting the activity may encourage the public to maintain their dental and oral healthiness through tidy and proper brushing teeth – after breakfast in the morning and night before go to bed. People should also frequently go to the dentist in every six-month. She said this message aims for children and parents, with expectation of the importance of visiting dentist routinely and knowing how to brushing their teeth in properly.

Drg. ZauraAnggraeniMDS, PDGI Chairman of Board, said routine check-up to the dentist is important, due to the dental health is playing vital-role for other body organs. Good-quality of dental health will be impacted to healthy body and improve people’s life quality.

In the meantime,AFDOKGI Head and FKG Dean of Padjajaran University (Unpad) Prof.Dr. H. Eky S. Soeria Soemantri drg., Sp. Ortho(K) expressed its readiness to hold BKGN 2011. He said Unpad academicians would like to appreciate the opportunity, as the first place of free-dental check up on BKGN 2011. He believed all competent dentists and prospective dentists will give their efforts to succeed this event. Besides that, Unpad has prepared facilities and infrastructure to support the event.

On the same occasion, PT Unilever, PDGI and AFDOKGI signed memorandum of understanding as the sustainable working commitments. The agreement as witnesses by Health Ministerdr. Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, MPH., DR PHthat represented byHead of Development and Empowerment Health Resources dr. Bambang Giyatno MPH.

The BKGN 2011 could not be separated from dental and oral health conditions in Indonesia, which are still quite apprehensive. According to Riskesdas 2007 data, as many as 43.4% people of Indonesia aged above 12 years old are having active caries (which have not been handled) and 67.2% has caries experience (more than one damaging teeth). Besides that, BKGN event is held once again, since many people are actively visited RSGM at FKG on BKGN 2010. Last year, 19.584 people of Indonesia participated in BKGN 2010.

Moreover,Prof. Ekysaid BKGN 2011 gives facility of simple tooth patches, which not involved nerve of tooth care (using amalgam, composite and glass lonomer), one permanent tooth extraction without complication, cleaning tartar and cavity prevention by using fluoride application or fissure sealant.

Drg. Mirah explained BKGN 2011 is in line with Pepsodent social mission in creating tagline of “Senyum Sehat Senyum Indonesia”, and one of sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) program from Unilever, which aims to improve dental health of people in Indonesia. The people who participate in BKGN 2011 will also succeed Pepsodent CSR program. Every people who are checking their teeth, will put their name in a white ball that will be inserted to giant piggy bank with shape like a tooth. At the end of event, Pepsodent will count entire white ball. Each one white ball will represent five sets of toothpaste and toothbrush, which will be donated to underprivileged children.

Drg. Mirah hoped this initiative progress performed by Unilever, PDGI andAFDOKGIat the second BKGN, will make September 12 as the national oral health day in Indonesia.