DOH, private firm seal partnership to promote oral health care

A collaboration to combat oral health concerns in the country was formed to create awareness that aims to empower Filipinos with better oral hygiene practices and foster healthier, brighter smiles across the nation.

- Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JG

Kenvue Philippines, a global leader in health and wellness, has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) —with support from the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) — to champion the importance of comprehensive oral care and help address the country’s growing oral health crisis.

According to Kenvue, oral health remained a pressing public health concern in the Philippines.

It cited that in 2018 National Survey on Oral Health (NSOH), 80 million Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, placing the country among the highest globally for dental caries, as noted in a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) study by Petersen.

In addition, 54 million individuals are affected by gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss, and data from Cruz et al. (2019) revealed that the average 70-year-old Filipino has only seven teeth remaining.

In January 2025, Kenvue and the DOH jointly launched "The Holistic Oral Health Initiative: Advancing Wellness Through Daily Care," a kickoff panel discussion featuring health experts and advocates.