The Valenzuela City government launched the “Bertong Sipilyo” campaign at the Valenzuela City Town Hall on Monday, Feb. 13, to raise awareness on oral health care.
The campaign, which is part of the city’s celebration of the 19th National Oral Health Month, includes a jingle and a mascot that intends to serve as a teaching tool for proper tooth brushing for all ages, according to the local government.
It said Bertong Sipilyo was spearheaded by the City Health Office and was conceptualized by several public health dentists from Valenzuela City.
The city government also produced an infomercial about Bertong Sipilyo to raise public awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene among children in preventing Early Childhood Caries (ECC) or early tooth decay, and to develop toothbrush habits as part of their daily routine.
The government said the infomercial will be distributed in all daycare centers, public schools, and public spaces in the city, including the Tagalag Fishing Village and Valenzuela People’s Park among others.
The event was attended by city dentists and daycare and Department of Education (DepEd) students and teachers.
The participants were given dental hygiene kits with toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, soap, alcohol, facemask, vitamins, mouthwash, and thermometer.
“Sa ating oral health, may tatlong ‘r’. Una repair your tooth, pangalawa, ‘pag di na kaya i-repair, we remove, at para makakain nang maayos, we replace. Dapat ay hindi na natin paabutin sa tatlong r, kailangan pangalagaan natin hindi lang ang ating ngipin, kundi pati rin ang gilagid, pisngi, at dila dahil ‘pag malusog at malakas ang ating bibig, malusog at malakas din ang ating pangangatawan (In our oral health, there are three ‘r’s that are being practiced. First, we repair, second, if we can’t repair, we remove, and to be able to eat properly, we replace. We shouldn’t let it reach the three ‘r’, we should take good care not only of our teeth, but also our gums, cheeks, and tongue because with a healthy mouth comes a healthy body),” City Health Officer Dr. Marthony Basco said.
Division of City Schools Valenzuela Superintendent Dr. Meliton Zurbano, DepEd-Valenzuela representatives Dr. Baltazar Gayem, Dr. Rustica Lorenzo, Valenzuela Dental Chapter representatives Dr. Jennifer Aguilar, Dr. Rhina Carreon, and Dr. Katherine Martinez were also present during the event.
The city government said the Nation Dental Health Month is celebrated every February to strengthen public awareness on good oral health as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 559 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.