Oral health is not always the headline when we talk about public health, but it should be. Last September 24, 2025 at Seda Abreeza Hotel, the Department of Health (DOH) and Kenvue Philippines joined hands for the fourth chapter of the Oral Health Initiative, rolling out the Ngiting 70:20 program in Mindanao. The mission: make fluoride mouthwash part of every Filipino’s daily routine, and in the process, build a healthier, more confident nation- one smile at a time.

The event gathered healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders under a single vision: put oral health back into the national conversation.

As Dr. Manuel V. Valeesteros, Chief of the DOH Oral Health & Nutrition Care Division, stressed, “Fluoride mouthrinse has now entered the WHO’s 2025 Model List of Essential Medicines. This is a signal to all Filipinos—oral hygiene is not optional. It is essential.”

The data paints a stark picture. Most Filipinos brush for an average of just 48 seconds when two minutes is the global standard. Flossing is almost non-existent. Brushing alone only covers 25% of the mouth. The gaps in oral care are wide- and they are taking a toll.
Kenvue’s advocacy is to close that gap by pushing for the inclusion of fluoride and essential oil–based mouthwash in everyday habits. Clinical studies, including a 2022 paper by Milleman et al., show mouthwash can reduce plaque, gingivitis, and gum bleeding up to five times more effectively when paired with brushing and flossing.

This Davao launch is part of Kenvue’s nationwide roadshow, following earlier stops in Manila and Cebu. Over 300 healthcare professionals have already been engaged since January. In every city, the approach is the same: bring together the people at the frontlines—dentists, nurses, midwives, pediatricians, general practitioners, even LGUs- and equip them with the science, training, and tools they need to guide their communities.

International voices are also backing the cause. At the recent FDI World Dental Congress in Shanghai, experts like Mauricio Tonetti, Paula Matesanz, and Wensheng Rong underlined the urgent need to “rethink rinse” and fold fluoride-based solutions into global oral care standards. Here in the Philippines, local champions such as Dr. Ella Roxas-Trinidad and Dr. Ralph Salvacion are stepping in to carry the same message home.

The Ngiting 70:20 program is more than brushing, flossing, and rinsing. It is a reframe of how oral health connects to dignity, confidence, and overall well-being. Poor oral health is not just about cavities- it affects nutrition, self-esteem, employability, and long-term health outcomes. By embedding better habits today, the DOH and Kenvue are not just fighting plaque- they are reshaping futures.

The fourth leg in Davao is proof of momentum growing stronger. With every stop, the campaign gathers new allies, new stories, and new reasons to push forward. Because oral health is not a luxury. It is the foundation of health, and every Filipino deserves it.

Ngiting 70:20 is no longer just a program. It is a movement. And it starts with one simple step: swish, rinse, repeat.