Colgate-Palmolive and Teethsavers International have drilled pupils at Mkwichi Primary School in Lilongwe in oral hygiene.

Speaking on Tuesday at the school during the function, Colgate-Palmolive general manager in South Central Africa Balunji Nkhwazi said they feel duty-bound to promote education by protecting learners’ health.

“Studies have shown that, globally, untreated tooth decay among learners affects their education. When the mouth is in good condition, the speaker is confident,” she said.

Besides encouraging the learners about oral hygiene, Nkhwazi also urged them to have a career choice to fulfil their dreams.

Children learn about oral health hygiene

Teethsavers International country manager Fred Sambani said they partnered Colgate-Palmolive because they have a similar agenda to promote oral hygiene.

He said: “We have partnered Colgate through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Schools Programme because we want to teach children in primary schools across the country on oral health education.

“It is great to have worked with Colgate-Palmolive since 2010 and we look forward to working with them in the future.

Sambani said they have reached out to over one million children with oral hygiene and hand-washing.

Mkwichi Primary School head teacher Esnath Kauma Moya commended the organisations for the gesture, saying good oral health practices are paramount to children’s health.

Apart from training learners in oral hygiene, the organisations distributed tooth brushes and tooth paste to each pupil.

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one’s oral cavity clean and free of disease and other problems by regular brushing of teeth and adopting good hygiene habits.

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