The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has partnered with global consumer health company Haleon and Johannesburg-based Motopi Consulting to launch its Oral Health Awareness Campaign to improve dental hygiene and education.
Activities will take place in clinic waiting areas at Tygerberg, Mitchells Plain, and Gugulethu public health facilities.
This year, the campaign focuses on sensitivity relief and gum health, offering interactive and educational experiences for patients.
Guided by the oral health specialists at UWC and the dentistry students, patients will receive the oral sensitivity “chill” tests, where cold water is used to assess sensitivity. Those experiencing discomfort are then educated on the issue and given Sensodyne samples, and appropriate treatment is recommended. The team will also do plaque testing by using UV-ray scanners to assess gum health.
UWC Dentistry Faculty Dean, Professor Veerasamy Yengopal, said: “As part of oral health month, we have partnered with Haleon to provide education and prevention interventions for our patients who attend the facility. I am hoping they can take home the message that the mouth is important and there are simple things we can do to keep healthy teeth and gums.”
The campaign goes the extra mile beyond just oral health awareness. It’s facilitated by trained youth from the YES Programme (Youth Employment Service) Programme, which is a private sector-led initiative designed to tackle youth unemployment by creating meaningful work opportunities for unemployed young people.
This ongoing oral health awareness campaign brings tangible benefits of learning for dentistry students, but also makes a meaningful impact in the community. The aim is to not only boost oral health awareness but also encourage preventive care and oral hygiene while providing free access to high-quality oral care products.