Kenvue, a global health and wellness product company, is partnering with the Department of Health (DOH) and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) to promote comprehensive oral care and reduce the prevalence of oral health issues in the Philippines. The country faces a pressing public health concern, with 80 million Filipinos suffering from tooth decay and 54 million affected by gum problems, a leading cause of tooth loss. The goal is to create healthier, brighter smiles for all Filipinos.

Several factors contribute to the nation’s oral health challenges:

  • Accessibility: With a low dentist-to-population ratio and 60% of dentists concentrated in Manila, many areas lack access to adequate dental care.
  • Limited Insurance: The Philippines is predominantly a self-pay country, making preventive dental care financially inaccessible for many.
  • Excessive Sugar Consumption: The average Filipino consumes over 13 tablespoons of sugar daily, nearly triple the recommended amount (Philippine Statistics Authority).
  • Inadequate Oral Health Practice: Proper brushing techniques are not widely practiced and limited awareness of mouth rinse as an important habit to complement brushing and flossing
  • Reactive Dental Visits: Alarmingly, 50% of Filipinos visit a dentist only when they experience oral health problems.

To address these challenges, the DOH has launched the Ngiting 70:20 initiative, which aims to ensure Filipinos retain at least 20 teeth by the age of 70. Key components of this program include:

  • Educational Campaigns: Initiatives like Ibigay ang Ibig ng Bibig promote fluoride toothpaste use, healthy diets, regular dental visits, and proper oral care routines.
  • Dental Home Concept: Making dental services accessible, continuous, and family-centered across all life stages.
  • PhilHealth Support: Expanded partial coverage for preventive oral health services.

Kenvue underscores the importance of holistic oral care by emphasizing gargling with mouthwash as a vital habit to complement brushing and flossing. Research shows that brushing alone cleans only 25% of the mouth. However, adherence to proper brushing techniques is low, with most individuals brushing for just 48 seconds instead of the recommended two minutes. Moreover, only 2% to 10% floss effectively, with daily flossing being even rarer, the importance of mouth rinse has limited awareness, therefore contributing to a lack of basic health practice.

To bridge this gap, Kenvue promotes the use of essential oils-based mouthwash, which has been proven to significantly enhance oral health outcomes. A 2022 study by Milleman et al., published by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, found that incorporating a mouth rinse formulated with four essential oils reduced plaque, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding up to five times more effectively than brushing and flossing alone over 12 weeks. Kenvue also initiates a partnership with Operation Smile to raise awareness about cleft lip and palate, and more importantly, to educate cleft patients and their families on the importance of good oral hygiene, which we recognize as essential health for all.

Kenvue and the DOH are committed to empowering healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to guide their patients toward improved oral care routines. Addressing this challenge means reaching not only dental practitioners but also other healthcare providers like general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, pediatricians, and family medicine practitioners to provide awareness and immediate action. Together, they aim to combat tooth loss and promote healthy smiles across all age groups.

“At Kenvue, we believe that oral health is the key component of overall health. By working alongside DOH and AmCham, we hope to make proper oral care accessible and actionable for every Filipino,” said Penn Policarpio, Managing Director Philippines and Indonesia.