Chief dental officer, Dr Joan Lal (left), receiving Bright Smiles Bright Futures programme supplies from Suma Molia, marketing manager Colgate-Palmolive (Fiji) Limited.
By ZAFIYA SHAMIM
Colgate-Palmolive (Fiji) Limited donated a total of 42,831 participant kits and a total of 264 venue kits for the schools in the Central and Eastern Division yesterday.
This was done at the Ministry of Health office in Tamavua.
The donation was received by the chief dental officer, Dr Joan Lal, on behalf of Ministry of Health.
Colgate’s Bright Smiles Bright Futures programme co-ordinator for Fiji, Dr Naina Kau, said the World Health Organisation reports had confirmed that oral health was essential to general health and well-being.
“Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood,” she said.
“The 2014 National Oral Health survey confirmed this to be true for Fiji as results showed that more than 80 per centof six-year old children had caries on their primary teeth.”.
Dr Kau said for decades, Colgate Palmolive had been dedicated to provide oral health education programmes to children in schools.
“This commitment continues through Colgate’s Bright Smiles Bright Futures oral health education programme,” he said.
“It aims to include the education of children on basic oral health concepts and empowering them to be responsible for their own health.”
Distribution today
Dr Kau said today they would donate to the Lautoka/Yasawa district at the Western Health Office, Vidilo House.
“There are a total of 218 schools which will be covered in the Western Division which comprises of a total of 33,453 students,” she said.
The donation will be received by Dr Jone Turagaluvu, Divisional Dental Officer, on behalf of Ministry of Health.