Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:00
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30,000 people pledging for a cavity free Sri Lanka
Signal, Unilever’s iconic oral healthcare brand that celebrates a long and historic journey of 55 years, has been driving one of the country’s most successful and unique outreach programs held to date, Sina Bo Wewa, in association with the Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA).
“It is a unique initiative with a larger purpose of creating a cavity free nation and protecting the Sri Lankan smile,” says Unilever Sri Lanka Marketing Director Siddharth Banerjee. “It is widely considered to be the most far reaching and successful oral health care outreach programs in the country.”
The 20th Signal Sina Bo Weva Dental Camp was held on 22 June at Katugastota Sri Rahula College ground; there were large crowds enthusiastic about participating in such an innovative event. Over 30,000 people were able to obtain first hand information, advice and treatment on oral health and people were given free dental screenings and oral check ups by the Dental Surgeons of the SLDA.
“Sina Bo Weva as an initiative took off in 2004 and to date, we have reached over 1 million people who have participated in the initiative; 60,000 have received treatment for various dental issues and over 1,700 national schools have derived a direct benefit from the program,” Banerjee further adds.
In protecting the Sri Lankan smile, Sina Bo Wewa has indeed reached a record number of Sri Lankans with a strong and powerful message of the benefits of good oral health care; often delivered utilising interesting elements such as games and activities, encouraging and empowering rural communities towards maintaining sound oral health care regimes.
“The uniqueness of the Sina Bo Wewa initiative is the manner in which it reaches communities often without access to proper dental facilities.
Leading up to the Signal Sina Bo Wewa 20th Dental Camp, 15 key towns and communities were activated creating awareness and encouraging people to participate. An art competition on the theme ‘Towards a Cavity Free Sri Lanka’ was held for children in schools of the area.
The response was over whelming with over 5,000 entries and the winners of the competition and their schools were rewarded,” says Unilever Sri Lanka Category Head – Oral Care Wathsala Aluthgedera.
“Partnering Signal at the Sina Bo Weva event was Dialog Axiata with guru.lk which provides educational services. Janashakthi Insurance Company also came forward to give away free accidental covers for participants,” she adds.
“The importance of brushing your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste that provides protection from cavities is conveyed adequately at Sina Bo Wewa. For children, whose changed dental habits can save their teeth, are especially encouraged to be active in developing good oral health habits at these initiatives,” Aluthgedera reiterates.
Sina Bo Wewa is indeed unique and innovative because the entire outreach is presented with a strong local flavor that endears the initiative to the people of the area.
“One of our key areas has been encouraging night time brushing that can make a major difference in dental health. We also teach correct brushing habits and encourage children to participate in demonstrations that teach them sound oral health habits.
Samples of toothbrushes and toothpaste were given to all participants at the event and Dental students of the Peradeniya Dental Faculty under the supervision of Faculty staffeducated them on the correct brushing techniques,” says Signal Senior Brand Manager Sumudu Thanthirigoda.
As the leader within the oral care market in Sri Lanka, Signal will continue its social mission of uplifting oral health care standards in the country in taking Sri Lanka towards a cavity free nation.
