The sixth edition of the oral health awareness programme has been a success thanks to Palmolive (India) Limited and the Indian Dental Association (IDA).
Oral Health Month (OHM) commenced in 2004 aiming to establish and promote the importance of good oral care habits. It started as a six city programme and this year it went on to become the largest mass-contact oral health awareness programme in India, covering 1,000 towns for the first time, with the support of 17,500 dental professionals.
This year the programme was intensified by taking the oral health message to underprivileged areas with the help of mobile dental vans. 1.2 lakh free dental check-ups were provided to 37 different cities. More than 4 lakh school children across the country were given tips on oral care hygiene through the special School Oral Health Awareness programme and were also provided with a free dental check.
September 12, 2009 was celebrated as World Oral Health Day. Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, was flagging off mobile dental vans in Delhi followed by mobile dental van roll-outs in Chandigarh, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
OHM has also extended its support towards NGOs, like Pratham, Akshara Foundation, Save the Children and Salaam Balak Trust, by conducting free dental check-ups for NGO workers and children. OHM also conducted free dental check-ups for the Indian Coast Guard in Chennai.
“When we began our plans for OHM 2009, we knew that if we were to make it a truly successful mass-contact programme, we needed to spread the message of good oral hygiene in as many cities as we could. When we set the target of 1,000 towns, we knew it would be a logistical challenge. We are proud that Oral Health Month now has the shape of a national movement.” Said Roger D Calmeyer, managing director, Colgate-Palmolive (India).