Saudi Dental Society, Colgate kick off ‘Oral Health Month’

The Saudi Dental Society and Colgate have kicked off a month-long campaign to improve oral hygiene across the Kingdom, as part of their joint commitment to raising nationwide standards.
‘Oral Health Month’, the joint community focused initiative, launches on the back of a recent survey commissioned by Colgate, which revealed that more than 75 percent of residents across the Kingdom admitted to visiting a dentist only when they are in pain and need treatment.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the annual Oral Health Month campaign, Dr. Fahad Al-Shehri, president of the Saudi Dental Society, urged the dental care industry to support their drive to raise awareness of preventive oral care habits across the Kingdom.
“With more than three-quarters of the population yet to adopt proactive dental care practices, it is evident that there is still a major need for change in the way residents approach oral care. Through community led initiatives, such as Oral Health Month, we hope to increase awareness among residents of all ages, especially the younger generation, allowing them to start implementing healthier oral care habits early on in life,” said Al-Shehri.
The effects of poor oral care was further highlighted through the recent survey when almost 50 percent of respondents confirmed they felt that having bad teeth impacted their overall health — which ultimately impacts one’s overall self-confidence.
“We want to encourage everyone, especially the youth across the Kingdom, to smile more and feel confident enough to smile without worrying about the condition of their teeth,” said Marios Trikides, marketing director, Colgate.
Residents can visit the campaign’s website www.colgateamanah.com to book a free dental appointment at their closest community clinic.
Colgate will be running road shows across Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah with dental check-up booths set up across several malls that allow mall-goers and families the chance to have a free dental check-up.