Unilever’s personal brand Pepsodent has launched a nationwide oral health campaign aimed at reaching 500,000 pupils across 500 primary schools in Kenya by the end of the year, as part of efforts to tackle preventable dental diseases.
The programme, unveiled at Arap Moi Primary School, will be implemented in schools across urban, peri-urban and rural areas, with a focus on instilling proper oral hygiene habits among children.
The “Twice 2” message at the centre
Schools already covered under the initiative include Olympic Primary School, Mwiki Primary School, Ruiru Comprehensive School and Mukuru Community School.
The campaign is anchored on the “Twice 2 – brush day and night” message, encouraging pupils to brush their teeth twice daily for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste. It also includes supervised sessions on proper brushing techniques and basic oral care.
The rollout comes amid ongoing oral health challenges in the country. Data from the Kenya National Oral Health Survey shows that nearly half of children aged five suffer from tooth decay, while gum disease affects more than 90 per cent of the population.
Why schools are the focus
Unilever EA, Commercial John Kibira said the school-based model is designed to drive long-term behavioural change at an early age.
“Reaching children in school allows us to simplify oral care and embed daily habits such as brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. These are small actions with significant long-term health outcomes,” he said.
According to Unilever East Africa Managing Director Luck Ochieng, oral health continues to affect learning outcomes, citing its impact on concentration, school attendance and overall wellbeing.
“Good oral health underpins a child’s confidence and ability to learn. Preventive interventions at school level are critical in reducing the long-term burden of dental disease,” he said.
Gaps in oral hygiene habits persist
Despite improved access to oral care products, gaps remain in usage and awareness. National data indicates that while more than 77 per cent of adults own a toothbrush and brush at least once daily, only about 70 per cent use fluoridated toothpaste. In addition, 17 per cent of users are unaware whether their toothpaste contains fluoride.
Health experts have also flagged low adherence to recommended practices such as replacing toothbrushes every three months, which continues to undermine oral hygiene efforts.
Aligning with national health policy
The initiative aligns with Kenya’s National Oral Health Policy (2022–2030) and the National Oral Health Strategic Plan (2022–2026), both of which prioritise preventive, school-based approaches.
Through the programme, Pepsodent aims to support efforts to reduce cases of tooth decay and gum disease among children while lowering the long-term cost of treatment.
