Unilever Ghana has partnered with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to train between 5,000 and 10,000 frontline health workers to promote oral hygiene across all 16 regions of the country ahead of World Oral Health Day on March 20.

The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen oral health awareness nationwide by equipping community health workers with the knowledge and tools needed to educate households on proper oral hygiene practices.

Under the programme, oral health education will also be integrated into existing community health outreach activities to ensure wider access to preventive care.

Oral diseases remain a major global health concern, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide and ranking among the most common non-communicable diseases. Health experts say this highlights the urgent need for increased public education on the dangers of poor oral hygiene and the importance of preventive care.

Managing Director of Unilever Ghana, Chris Wulff-Caesar, said the partnership will empower thousands of health workers to champion oral health education in communities nationwide.

“We will train five to ten thousand frontline health personnel to promote preventive oral care. This partnership also strengthens the impact of our ‘Do The 2’ campaign,” he said, referring to the initiative encouraging people to brush their teeth twice daily to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

For his part, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, described the collaboration as a major step toward strengthening preventive healthcare delivery in Ghana.

“By integrating oral health education into our existing community health framework, we are ensuring that preventive care reaches households in every corner of this nation. On behalf of the Ghana Health Service, I reaffirm our commitment to this collaboration and to strengthening preventive healthcare for all Ghanaians,” he stated.

The partnership is expected to significantly expand oral health education across the country, empowering communities with the knowledge needed to adopt better hygiene practices and reduce the prevalence of oral diseases.