Pupils set record while learning about oral health

(From left) Chin, Razuki, Prof Rahimah, Giaquinto, Malaysia Book of Records business development director Jwan Heah and Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ambassador Alyssa Dezek with the participating pupils from SJK(C) Yak Chee. — NORAFIFI EHSAN/The Star

IN CONJUNCTION with World Cavity-Free Future Day, 3,245 pupils from SJK(C) Yak Chee entered the Malaysia Book of Records as part of The Largest Participation in Tooth-Brushing Event among primary school pupils.

The campaign was jointly initiated by Colgate and The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) to raise awareness about cavity and oral health among the young.

Volunteers from ACFF Youth Club, who consisted of students from the dentistry faculty at Lincoln University College, demonstrated the right way to brush teeth at the event launched by Education Ministry’s sports, co-curricular and arts division deputy director Razuki Abdul Rahim.

“This effort is in line with the Education and Health ministries’ initiative to cultivate health awareness among schoolchildren, ” said Razuki.

Colgate-Palmolive Marketing Sdn Bhd vice-president and general manager Corrado Giaquinto said dental caries was among the most chronic diseases among children and adolescents.

He said Colgate worked with ACFF to spread awareness of oral health by launching an infographic on cavities and sharing with the public insights to emphasise the prevalence of cavities among children and adolescents, adding that Colgate had conducted numerous oral health education and dental screenings for children across the globe.

“Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Future programmes are present in many schools, reaching out to one billion children globally to-date and four million children in Malaysia since 2010, ” said Giaquinto.

ACFF-Malaysia Chapter chairman Professor Dr Rahimah Abdul Kadir revealed that seven out of 10 children in Malaysia suffered from dental caries while eight out of 25 milk teeth in children aged five and younger already had cavities.

“Among 12 year olds, 35% of their teeth require fillings.

“We want to help individuals to start taking control of their oral health, to prevent the risk of dental caries and consequently having cavities, ” said Prof Rahimah.

SJK(C) Yak Chee headmaster Chin Ah Soon said the Health Ministry conducted dental inspections annually for pupils in their school.

“Today’s event helps the pupils learn the correct way of brushing their teeth, ” he added.

During the event, Colgate introduced its new product — Maximum Cavity Protection toothpaste with amino power.

“The new Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection toothpaste consists of three ingredients that help combat cavities effectively, which are arginine, fluoride and calcium, ” said Colgate-Palmolive marketing director Amanda Klemm.

For the record-breaking feat, SJK(C) Yak Chee pupils used the Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection toothpaste.

The previous record, achieved on July 5, was held by SK Sungai Binjai with 2,098 pupils.