'Live, Learn, Laugh' in Wayamba!

(A project by Sri Lanka Dental Association and Unilever Sri Lanka Manufacturers of Signal)

Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) and Unilever Sri Lanka, who have been working together in promoting oral Health in Sri Lanka for nearly 5 decades, launched the "Live Learn Laugh" Oral Health Promotion project in 2006. The "Live Learn Laugh" project is funded by FDI World Dental Federation and Unilever Global. After achieving great success in the first phase of the project which commenced in 2006, the Phase II of "Live, Learn, Laugh" (LLL) was launched in the North Western Province with the simple objective of inculcating the habit of brushing twice a day with fluoride tooth paste in children in 150 schools in Wayamba.

Brushing twice a day with a fluoride tooth paste has proven beyond doubt to reduce dental caries, Periodontal disease and improve oral hygiene in general. Sri Lanka Dental Association, Unilever Sri Lanka, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health being the main stake holders of the project, work closely to get the maximum benefit and to reduce the burden of Dental Disease among school children in the Province.

Under the Phase II, LLL project has already been implemented in 50 schools and plan to implement in 100 more schools by taking 2 batches of 50 schools each in January and May 2013. The project is actively supported by the Director, Health and Nutrition of the Ministry of Education and the Deputy Director General of Dental Service of the Ministry of Health and coordinated through the offices of the Provincial Director of Education and Provincial Director of Health Office of North Western Province (NWP).

Project Manager and National coordinator of Live, Learn, Laugh - Sri Lanka and the Former President of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, Professor Prasad Amaratunga sharing his thoughts on the project stated "'Live, Learn, Laugh' project in the North Western Province is implemented through School Health Clubs and monitored by the regional Dental Surgeon, Kurunegala together with other dental surgeons and School Dental Therapists of NWP. In order to maintain good oral health throughout life, it is important to inculcate good oral care habits among people, especially among children. 'Brushing teeth twice-a-day with a fluoridated toothpaste for better oral health' is the slogan. Our main objective is to educate school children and effect an actual behavioral change.

Brand Manager of Signal, Mihira Kulathunga expressing his views on the project said "Unilever through Signal had been instilling good oral hygiene habits to the people of Sri Lanka giving them the confidence to smile since 1982. We are committed to promoting dental care, educating masses on oral hygiene and implementing strategies to promote dental care among children. With a vision of protecting the Sri Lankan smile for the future, Unilever through Signal will continue to work and offers a wide range of variants in its toothpaste and toothbrush portfolio, guaranteeing you strong healthy teeth through its leading innovations".