MURANGA, Kenya, March 22 – Unilever, the global consumer goods leader, celebrated World Oral Health Day 2025 by achieving a significant milestone—improving oral health for 230,000 primary school children under the theme “A Happy Mouth is A Happy Mind.”
Over the past six months, Unilever, through its trusted oral care brands Pepsodent and Close-Up, has been dedicated to promoting oral hygiene, encouraging the practice of brushing twice a day.
The initiative reached 230 schools across Nairobi, Rift Valley, Coast, Central, and Lake regions, providing over 230,000 students with valuable oral health education.
World Oral Health Day serves as an annual reminder of Unilever’s ongoing commitment to fostering healthier smiles in communities across Kenya and beyond.
According to the Kenya National Oral Health Strategic Plan (2022-2026), over 99% of children and all adults in Kenya face at least one dental issue, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and preventive care. On a global scale, more than 3.5 billion people are affected by oral diseases, with dental conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease continuing to be widespread.
Speaking at the celebrations at Technology Primary School in Murang’a County, Unilever’s Head of Demand Creation for East and West Africa, Antony Esyalai, said, “World Oral Health Day 2025 is a key moment for Unilever to reaffirm our commitment to improving oral hygiene nationwide. By reaching 230,000 schoolchildren in the last six months with our Pepsodent toothpaste and Close-Up gel, we hope to inspire lifelong habits for healthier, brighter smiles in future generations.”
Unilever’s Personal Care Marketing Manager, Sheila Chepkorir, emphasized the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation in oral care.
“At Unilever, we understand the critical importance of providing access to quality oral care products and education. Our leading brands, Pepsodent and Close-Up, have become trusted household names for promoting dental health,” she stated.
“Through continuous investment in research and development, we are ensuring that our products meet the diverse needs of consumers while remaining affordable and delivering lasting benefits.”
Chepkorir further added that Unilever is dedicated to addressing social and cultural factors to enhance access to oral care and raise awareness throughout Kenya.