Sensodyne's maker Haleon launches campaign to improve oral health habits in Malaysia

Haleon, a provider of specialist oral health and maker of Sensodyne, has partnered with the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) to launch #BetterOralCareNation, a month-long campaign providing free dental check-ups starting 1 May. The campaign includes educational activities to improve oral health literacy among Malaysians as well as about 72,000 dental check-ups which will be conducted in partnership with the MDA.

As part of the campaign's educational efforts, Haleon's toothpaste brand Sensodyne will also roll out on-ground activities in collaboration with healthcare professionals, social creators, and influencers, to drive awareness, education, and understanding of the impact of poor oral health, including its link to systemic health.

The event also unveiled Malaysia's national oral health policy which aims to define strategies and actions to deliver better oral healthcare to all Malaysians and empower them to further improve their health and quality of life, the release said. 

Lim Chiew Wooi, president of the MDA, noted that global cases of oral diseases have increased by one billion over the last 30 years. This indicates that oral disease is a common health condition globally. Furthermore, only 16% of Malaysians visit the dentist at least twice a year. This is alarming as ignoring oral health can significantly increase the risk of being exposed to periodontitis or advanced dentine hypersensitivity as well as increase the risk for other conditions and diseases.

Individuals who suffer from some types of periodontal disease are twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart disease caused by plaque and bacteria that enter the body through the gums, Lim shared. 

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Bryan Wong, general manager, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (MSB), Haleon, said: "As a world-leading company 100% focused on everyday health, we have the unique opportunity to help break down the social and environmental barriers that hold people back from better everyday health. We constantly seek to improve oral health habits among Malaysians and build awareness of oral health conditions, such as tooth sensitivity and periodontitis, as these can be prevented through effective oral hygiene."

Wong added that Haleon is committed to supporting the improvement of everyday oral health, and it looks forward to its partnership with the MDA in continuing to educate and empower the public on the importance of everyday oral health.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information. 

In December, Haleon's innovation arm of global consumer health company Haleon NEXT launched its global collaboration and partnership programme, Re/Wire Health Studio and chose six consumer health startups that focused on oral health and behaviour change for its programme's third cohort. 

Haleon’s Re/Wire programme partners with founders who share the company’s ambition to deliver better everyday health to consumers by developing the next generation of digital health services which will enable people to better manage their overall health and wellbeing.

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