300,000 pupils in challenge for tooth brushing

The Lagos State Government is set to break the World record in tooth brushing, Governor Babatunde Fashola’s Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, said yesterday.

To achieve the feat, no fewer than 300,000 pupils from 300 public schools will start brushing their teeth at different locations   simultaneously at a competition slated for December 5.

Briefing reporters at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja as part of activities to commemorate this year's World Oral Health Day, Dr Adeshina said the plan to break the world record is meant to  educate Nigerians on the danger of poor hygiene.

Speaking on the theme of the challenge: "Don't wait: address your future now," Mrs. Adeshina urged Nigerians consult their dentists for checkup at least twice a year. 

"We came up with this idea because we are convinced that preventive enlightenment is more effective in terms of costs and outcomes than the traditional curative approach," she said.

Mrs Adeshina restated the state’s  commitment to the provision of affordable oral health care to residents, saying all dental care centres had been fully equipped to cater to patients` needs.

Project Head of the World Record challenge, Mr. Bakare Lawal said the 300,000 students were set to beat the 2009 record of 177,003, saying the attempt would ensure the state holds the record for about two decades.

 "I have seen too many instances where unfavourable oral health attitudes and practices, poorly designed dental practices and lack of strong policies have converged to produce unpleasant, yet totally avoidable outcomes," Bakare, a dentist said, adding: "At exactly 12 noon on December 5, we hope to lead over 300,000 adolescents in brushing their teeth at multiple locations for a single, glorious minute."

Culled From The Nation Nigeria