Unilever, through its brand Pepsodent, has launched the TeethTalk Academy training program in Jakarta, aimed at equipping doctors, dental students, and oral health practitioners to be more effective in delivering health information via social media. The program seeks to enhance community health awareness regarding the importance of dental care.
In a statement, Madhurjya Banerjee, the Global Oral Care Brand Director at Unilever, emphasized that doctors play a vital role in raising awareness about oral health. He noted that presenting information in an engaging and simplified manner is essential to ensure that scientific messages reach the widest audience possible.
Event Details
The launch of the TeethTalk Academy is part of Unilever's efforts to tackle challenges related to low health awareness in the community. According to a Riskesdas study conducted by the Indonesian Ministry of Health, approximately 96% of the population did not visit a dentist in the past year, while only 2.8% of them follow the correct method of cleaning their teeth.
The program has been developed in collaboration with the Omnicom Advertising team and includes diverse training content covering idea development, production techniques such as lighting and editing, personal branding, and social media interaction strategies. The first workshop was organized in March 2026, featuring Dr. Milad Shadrooh, the British dentist known as The Singing Dentist, along with a group of Indonesian creatives.
Background & Context
Oral health is a significant health issue that requires special attention, as good dental care directly impacts overall health. Historically, there have been multiple efforts to raise awareness about oral health, but the results remain unsatisfactory. This initiative stands out as a new step in trying to change this reality by utilizing social media as a platform for knowledge dissemination.
The importance of social media in the digital age is increasing, as these platforms have become a primary means of communication and information sharing. However, using these channels in the health sector requires specific skills to ensure the effectiveness of the messages directed at the public.
Impact & Consequences
The success of the TeethTalk Academy program could lead to improved health awareness levels in Indonesia, which may positively reflect on the population's oral health. If doctors can effectively use social media, they may be able to change the negative perceptions some hold towards visiting the dentist, contributing to a reduction in oral health-related issues.
Furthermore, this initiative could open new avenues for developing similar educational programs in other countries, enhancing the importance of online health education. The use of innovative methods in delivering information could serve as a model to be emulated in other health fields.
Regional Significance
This initiative is particularly significant for the Arab region, where many countries face similar challenges in oral health. Arab nations could benefit from experiences like the TeethTalk Academy to develop educational programs aimed at raising health awareness among their populations.
Enhancing health awareness through social media can contribute to improving public health, which is an urgent necessity given the health challenges faced by Arab communities.