In celebration of World Children’s Day, Clogard a leading oral care brand, in partnership with the Faculty of Dental Science at the University of Peradeniya, sponsored a special event for preschool teachers and early childhood development officers, under the theme ‘Saving Little Smiles’. The objective of the event was to raise awareness about children’s dental care issues among preschool teachers and early childhood development officers. The event saw over 300 attendees, including preschool teachers and officers, which emphasized the crucial roles played by educators in maintaining and promoting children’s dental health from an early age.
The knowledge shared amongst these educators is of paramount importance, as it helps ensure that dental issues like tooth decay are identified and addressed during early childhood development. Mr. T.K. Gunathilake, Director of the Early Childhood Development Office in the Central Province reported that approximately 36,000 children begin preschool in the Central Province every year, for which there are only 4,700 childhood development advisors. Sharing knowledge and raising awareness about cavities and how to prevent them is vital in safeguarding the smiles of future generations.
The event was opened by Professor Chandra Herath, who spoke in detail about the growing issue of Early Childhood Caries (ECC), commonly known as ‘Mul Lamaviya Dath Dira Yema’, amongst children under the age of five. In her address, she explained that ECC is caused by cavities, which are formed due to the bacteria produced by excessive sugar consumption. She went on to explain that creating awareness among preschool teachers could help identifying and addressing cavities effectively at an early stage and help prevent them from progressing to ECC.
Clogard, a trusted brand for over 30 years, continues to fulfil its promise of providing good oral care and building a cavity free Sri Lanka with its extensive portfolio of products. The brand also reaffirms that the use of fluoride toothpaste is essential for protection against cavities and eliminating harmful bacteria. The long-term effects of oral care problems could impact children’s future, affecting their confidence and mental health of children.
The ’Saving Little Smiles’ event was a resounding success as it engaged and empowered preschool teachers and early childhood development officers, with the knowledge and tools required to prevent dental problems. The Programmes such as this are of paramount importance as they raise much needed awareness about these and other oral health issues. The knowledge shared at these programmes is essential for ensuring that the smiles of the generations to come are protected.