Happy Mouth, Happy Life: Guardian Malaysia Champions Oral Health Awareness With Nationwide Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- In conjunction with the annual celebration of World Oral Health Day on March 20, Guardian Malaysia is hosting its World Oral Health Day atrium at 1Utama Shopping Centre from March 31 to April 5, as well as at Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru.

In a statement, Guardian Malaysia said that as the country’s leading health and beauty retailer, it aims to play an active role in combating dental caries by advocating holistic wellness and elevating oral care from a basic hygiene routine to an essential component of overall healthcare.

“According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, through its National Oral Health Survey of Adults (NOHSA 2020), dental caries affects 85.1 per cent of surveyed adults. This indicates that more than eight in 10 adult Malaysians have experienced decayed, missing or filled teeth.

“Although the prevalence rate has been declining, more efforts are needed from industry stakeholders to help Malaysians achieve the National Oral Health Strategic Plan’s caries-free targets by the end of this decade,” the statement said.

The event is supported by the Malaysian Dental Association and the FDI World Dental Federation, in line with the aspirations of the MOH.

Representatives from the Oral Health Programme (OHP), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), as well as deans from the dentistry faculties of International Medical University (IMU) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM),  were also present, contributing their expertise and support.

The World Oral Health Day initiative aims to raise awareness among Malaysians of the importance of oral health, an often-overlooked aspect of well-being, while equipping individuals with practical knowledge and tips for maintaining strong teeth, fresh breath and overall oral hygiene.

Marketing Director of Guardian Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Anna Ng, said many people remain unaware of the link between oral health and systemic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, warning that neglecting oral care could lead to serious long-term consequences.

“In line with the atrium’s theme, ‘A happy mouth is a happy life’, the preventive measures and practical tips shared should be adopted as part of daily routines across all age groups, from children and teenagers to adults and senior citizens,” she said.

Meanwhile, Guardian Malaysia Managing Director Priscilla Wu emphasised the company’s role as a trusted wellness advisor, now extending to empowering Malaysians to adopt preventive oral care as their first line of defence against dental issues.

“This week-long event, held in celebration of World Oral Health Day and supported by the MDA and Haleon, marks our first step towards this goal in alignment with the MOH’s objectives.

“We are proud to be a stakeholder partner of the MDA in advancing public oral health and are grateful for the support from both the association and Haleon in providing free dental check-ups and consultations at the atrium,” she said.

The event features several interactive zones, including ‘Build Your Strong Smile’, ‘Protect Your Mouth’ and ‘Shine with Confidence’, designed to be engaging and educational, encouraging the public to adopt better oral hygiene practices and preventive habits.

Free dental check-ups and consultations will be available in private booths from noon to 6 pm on March 31, as well as from April 3 to 5.

In addition, stage activities by brands such as BioMed, Colgate, Darlie, Henry Blooms and Sensodyne will be held at selected times over the weekend.

MYguardian Rewards members can also enjoy exclusive promotions throughout the event, including a free RM30 voucher with a minimum purchase of RM130, a complimentary mini luggage with purchases of RM200 and above, as well as special discounts and bundle deals available during the campaign period.

-- BERNAMA