Hundreds of schoolchildren, some holding new toothbrushes and others eagerly mimicking brushing techniques, filled Akoon Park in Tarkwa with excitement, as the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation partnered with Unilever Ghana to mark World Oral Health Day with a community-focused outreach.
Observed globally on March 20 each year, the day is dedicated to promoting good oral hygiene practices, but in Tarkwa the message went beyond speeches, it was a hands-on experience for thousands of pupils drawn from both public and private schools across the municipality.
Under the theme: “A happy mouth is a happy life”, by mid-morning, teachers had accompanied their pupils to the Akoon Park, the venue for the programme.
The pupils sat attentively as dental professionals demonstrated proper brushing techniques, with most of the children learning that oral care extends beyond a hurried morning routine for the first time.
“We are not just here to give out products,” said Mrs. Aisha Muhammed Aubyn, Project Coordinator for the Foundation.
“Our main focus is preventive healthcare, teaching them how to take care of their teeth and encouraging them to ‘do the two’, that is, brush in the morning and at night.”
Her words echoed through the park as children practiced along, with some giggling as they adjusted their brushing strokes under the guidance of facilitators.
For many of the pupils, the session was an eye-opening event.
“Some of them just put toothpaste on their brush and started brushing without knowing the proper technique,” Mrs. Aubyn observed.
“But today, they are learning the right way and more importantly, why it matters.”
The initiative, she explained, is also targeting parents, urging them to go beyond providing toothbrushes to actively supervise their children’s oral hygiene habits at home.
Across the grounds, teams conducted free dental screenings, checking for cavities and other oral conditions, which are often linked to sugary diets common among children.
“We are expecting to reach about 3,000 students by the end of the program,” Mrs. Aubyn added, noting the overwhelming turnout and enthusiasm.
Also present was Mrs. Agnes Quantson, School Health Education Programme Coordinator, who underscored the importance of early education in maintaining lifelong oral health.
“World Oral Health Day is a time we remind everyone, especially children, to keep their teeth clean,” she said.
“From early childhood to Junior High School, we teach them to brush at least twice a day.”
She commended the Foundation for extending the campaign beyond the calendar date, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
Central to the programme was the use of peer educators, students trained to pass on the knowledge to their classmates.
“When children speak to their colleagues, they listen better,” Mrs. Quantson explained. “So we train these peer educators to go back and teach others not just about oral health, but about personal hygiene and healthy living.”
Back at the demonstration area, clusters of pupils repeated the now-familiar chant, “brush day and night”, their voices rising in unison, a simple message with the power to shape healthier futures.
Akoon Park became more than just a gathering space, it transformed into a classroom of life lessons, where brighter smiles began with knowledge, not just toothpaste.
Activities undertaken for the day included oral health sensitisation with practical demonstration, oral health screening, referrals for advanced dental care, distribution of oral hygiene products by Unilever Ghana and National Health Insurance registration and renewal.
