Unilever’s personal care brand, Pepsodent, has launched a nationwide school oral health campaign targeting 500,000 pupils across 500 primary schools by the end of 2026. The initiative aims to address Kenya’s high burden of preventable dental diseases through early intervention and behavioural change.
The programme was officially unveiled at Arap Moi Primary School in Kiserian and is set to be implemented across urban, peri-urban, and rural regions. It focuses on equipping school-going children with practical oral hygiene knowledge and instilling consistent daily habits.
Focus on behaviour change among learners
The campaign adopts a structured, school-based approach to drive long-term behavioural change. Through guided sessions, pupils are taught proper brushing techniques and basic oral care practices in a supervised learning environment.
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As part of the rollout, Pepsodent teams have engaged learners in several institutions including Olympic Primary School in Kawangware, Mwiki School in Kasarani, Ruiru Comprehensive School, Mukuru Community School, and Arap Moi Primary School in Kiserian.
At the core of the programme is the “Twice 2 – brush day and night” message, which encourages children to brush their teeth twice daily for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
Addressing Kenya’s oral health burden
The initiative comes against the backdrop of persistent oral health challenges in Kenya. According to the Kenya National Oral Health Survey, nearly half of children aged five suffer from tooth decay, while gum disease affects more than 90 per cent of the population.
These figures highlight a systemic gap in preventive care and awareness, particularly among younger populations.
Unilever East Africa Commercial Director John Kibira noted that targeting children within schools is a strategic move to embed lifelong habits early.
“Reaching children in school allows us to simplify oral care and embed daily habits such as brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. These are small actions with significant long-term health outcomes,” he said.
Link between oral health and education outcomes
Unilever East Africa Managing Director Luck Ochieng emphasised the broader implications of oral health on learning and child development.
“Good oral health underpins a child’s confidence and ability to learn. Preventive interventions at school level are critical in reducing the long-term burden of dental disease,” he said.
Untreated dental conditions are known to affect concentration, school attendance, and overall wellbeing, making oral health a critical but often overlooked component of education outcomes.
Gaps in oral hygiene practices persist
While access to oral care products in Kenya has improved, usage patterns remain inconsistent.
National data indicates that over 77 per cent of adults own a toothbrush and brush at least once daily, while about 70 per cent use fluoridated toothpaste. However, gaps remain in brushing frequency, technique, and awareness.
Notably, 17 per cent of users are unsure whether their toothpaste contains fluoride—an essential ingredient in preventing tooth decay.
Health experts also point to low compliance with recommended practices such as replacing toothbrushes every three months, a factor that continues to undermine effective oral hygiene.
Aligning with national health policy
The Pepsodent programme aligns with the Kenya National Oral Health Policy (2022–2030) and the National Oral Health Strategic Plan (2022–2026), both of which prioritise preventive, school-based interventions as a cost-effective public health strategy.
By scaling outreach through schools, the initiative supports national efforts to reduce childhood tooth decay and gum disease while lowering the long-term financial burden associated with oral health treatment.
Strategic implications for public health and private sector partnerships
This campaign reflects a broader shift towards preventive healthcare models in Kenya, where early-stage interventions are proving more scalable and cost-efficient than curative approaches.
For the private sector, it demonstrates how brand-led initiatives can align with national development priorities while delivering measurable social impact. For policymakers, it reinforces the importance of structured partnerships in expanding access and driving behavioural change at scale.
Effective leadership in this context is not about visibility but outcomes. The real measure will be whether these interventions translate into sustained behavioural shifts and improved health indicators over time. Long-term impact will depend on consistency, accountability, and the ability to embed these habits beyond the classroom into households and communities.
