Campaign to help M’sians achieve better oral health
KOTA KINABALU: Are you among the 94% of Malaysian adults with gum disease? If you are unsure, visit gumhealthcheck. com for a free online assessment that can help you achieve healthy gum and teeth for life.
The free gum health check website is part of Systema’s Gumbatte Towards One Million Gum Health Checks awareness and education campaign 2019, a collaboration with the Malaysian Dental Association.
The campaign aims to help Malaysians achieve better oral health outcomes with the ultimate goal of motivating more people to retain 20 of their natural teeth when they are 60 years and above[2] so that they can enjoy better health expectancy, in line with the Ministry of Health’s goals.
The ambitious Gumbatte campaign plays on the Japanese motivational cry of ‘Ganbatte’ that means ‘you can do it’ as a rallying call to get Malaysians to take charge of their gum health and reach the one million gum health checks figure.
The campaign was launched by Dr. Norliza bt Mohamed, acting principal director of Oral Health, in conjunction with National Oral Health Day at the 1 Utama Mall in Bandar Utama, here.
According to Dr Norliza, oral health is often perceived as being less important than general health but this neglect must stop due to the seriousness of the issue. She pointed out that poor oral health is often associated with other health problems.
“Research studies show correlations between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes, and most recently Alzheimer’s disease. These are life-threatening diseases and if early detection and treatment of gum disease can lower these correlations we should explore it.”
She said Systema’s Gumbatte campaign was on the right track with its emphasis on online gum health checks as the majority of Malaysians, even in rural areas, get their information online.
“The Gumbatte Towards One Million Gum Health Checks campaign can help the Ministry of Health Oral Care Division educate more people on the critical need for better gum care and oral health quickly, and with immediate results.”
Southern Lion Sdn Bhd, senior general manager Ms Carmen Foo highlighted Systema’s social purpose of creating higher awareness of oral health because strong teeth begins with healthy gums. Systema is a core brand of Lion Corporation, Japan and has an oral care heritage of over 120 years gleaned from working with dental professionals, health policy makers, scientists and researchers.
“The Systema Anti-Plaque System combines the Systema Advance Anti-Plaque toothpaste to break down plaque and kill harmful bacteria even within gum pockets, and the Systema 0.02mm tapered bristles toothbrushes to aid in the physical removal of plaque even from hard-to-reach places between teeth, along the gum line and inside gum pockets. Now, we have the solution ready. Therefore, it is time to raise awareness of gum disease as it is the foundation of healthy gums and teeth for life. This is why we introduced the Gumbatte Towards One Million Gum Health Checks campaign ... to build the self-awareness needed for positive change,” Ms Foo said.
“Malaysians get much of their information from social media. This is why we are working with entertainment and social media power couple Wawa Zainal and Aeril Zafrel to viralise the campaign. We believe that through this strategy, the importance of having gum health checks can reach more people and inspire them to take action for better oral health,” she added.
Actor Aeril Zafrel was shocked by the high rates of gum disease among Malaysians.
“Being in the entertainment industry or any customer facing industry, having good personal hygiene including oral hygiene is a must. I hadn’t realised the extent of the gum disease problem among us. I feel compelled to share this information because it can make a difference, especially given the link between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. All of us should head to gumhealthcheck. com to assess our gum health.”
Systema also pledged 10,000 trial tubes of Systema Advance Anti-Plaque Toothpaste and 10,000 Systema 0.02mm tapered bristles toothbrushes in support of the nationwide outreach program.
Actress and entrepreneur Wawa Zainal was equally motivated to be an oral health awareness enabler.
“Gum disease is a health issue of national importance. If we can get more people to take better care of their gums by using an antiplaque toothpaste and toothbrush system that can help to improve quality of life, it is a move in the right direction for our nation.”
Malaysian Dental Association president elect Dr Leong Kei Joe shared that reducing the incidence of gum disease in Malaysia needs to start with an overhaul in the perception of gum disease. He praised the campaign to address gum disease.
“There is a serious lack of awareness of gum disease and its potential to impact quality of life, and its link to other major diseases. Too many of us accept the signs of gum disease such as bleeding when brushing as normal. Malaysians need to recognise the signs and symptoms of gum disease so that they know when something is wrong and can seek help. Take control of your oral health, visit gumhealthcheck. com to assess your gum health status, and if needed visit your dentist for treatment.”
He said members of the Malaysian Dental Association would be providing free gum health check in support of the campaign, and recommended that everyone visit their dentist at least twice a year. Pricing and Availability Systema products are available nationwide via leading hypermarkets, supermarkets and pharmacies at RM12.55 for the Systema Advance AntiPlaque Toothpaste, while the Systema 0.02mm Tapered Bristles Toothbrushes range from RM7.80 to RM12.55.