1,000 Filipinos received free dentures through the Polident Oplan Balik-Ngiti 2024. Photo source: Polident

Sharing a big, sweet smile is a simple gesture that may brighten our interactions with others. But for those who are missing teeth and do not have dentures or pustiso, it may be quite challenging. They cover their mouths and limit interactions because they cannot smile confidently.

Many may not realize that 1 in 10 Filipinos wears pustiso. And contrary to popular belief, senior citizens do not make up the bulk of denture wearers in the country. In fact, 47% of the Filipinos who wear pustiso are below the age of 45.

According to the National Oral Health Survey of 2018, many more are at risk of losing their teeth due to the high prevalence of tooth decay (70%) and gum disease (50%) among Filipinos. This means that many Filipinos might need pustiso at an early age, but some may not have the financial means to get them.

Polident Oplan Balik-Ngiti

Photo source: Polident 

To help address this issue, pustiso care brand, Polident, in partnership with the Philippine Dental Association, Inc., and the Philippine Association of Registered Dental Technologists, Inc. (PARTDI), launched the Polident Oplan Balik-Ngiti program last year. This initiative aimed and succeeded in providing free dentures to 1,000 Filipinos across 10 cities, helping them regain their smiles and their confidence.

In its second year, Polident continues its mission to assist more Filipinos in need by expanding its partnership with merchants Mercury Drugstore, Rose Pharmacy Inc., and St. Joseph Drug to promote their advocacy. 

Photo source: Polident 

'Bayanihan' 

In a gesture reminiscent of bayanihan or a community effort to help those in need, the brand also involved consumers in supporting the cause through the Polident Oplan Balik-Ngiti: Ilabas ang Ngiting Pustiso Confident fundraising program. From January 28 to April 30, 2024, every purchase of a Polident product resulted in one peso being donated to help fellow kababayans who cannot afford dentures themselves.

Last April 12, the Oplan Balik-Ngiti 2024 advocacy officially kicked off at Trinoma. The event saw participation from various partners, including PDA, PARDTI, and trade partners, as well as celebrity host Melai Cantiveros, who lent her support to the cause. Past recipients of the 2023 Oplan Balik-Ngiti program also joined the event, proudly showcasing their confident smiles and sharing their experiences since receiving their free dentures. The gathering marked the official start of the initiative, with updates on the caravan and continued efforts to assist more Filipinos in need.

From late April to July 2024, the Polident Oplan Balik-Ngiti caravan visited 10 new cities across the country: Pasig, Antipolo, Baguio, Urdaneta, Tuguegarao, Tarlac, Batangas, Legaspi, Iloilo, and CDO. The initiative transformed another 1,000 lives by providing them with free dentures. 

The Polident Oplan Balik-Ngiti program also included free dental checkups and provided essential denture care education. 

Additionally, over 80,000 denture care kits were distributed, each containing Polident Adhesive, Polident Cleanser, and educational materials. These efforts aimed to benefit existing denture wearers and ensure they received proper care and support.

Continued dedication 

Polident remains dedicated to helping improve Filipinos' lives by restoring their smiles and bringing back their confidence. As Filipinos celebrate these winning pustiso smiles, efforts will continue through ongoing education and resources for proper pustiso  care. 

To learn more about Polident's products and initiatives, follow them on Facebook. Polident products are available on Lazada, Shopee, and at partner stores nationwide.

ASC REF No. G0271P101424P