10 Questions To Ask Your Hygienist campaign unveiled

Sept. 29, 2004
Oral-B kicks off new radio and direct mail educational effort to mark National Dental Hygiene Month in October.

In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month in October, Oral-B today announced a new radio and direct mail campaign that leverages the vital role that dental hygienists play in educating patients about their oral health. The "10 Questions to Ask Your Hygienist" campaign stresses the relationship between good oral health, and overall health and well-being.

Poor oral health and problems like gum disease have been linked to broader health risks including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and others. As licensed oral health professionals, hygienists are key in preventing and treating oral diseases that may lead to other health issues.

Oral-B recommends that patients consider the following 10 questions during their next dental appointment:

1. What is the impact of smoking on my oral health?
2. How can I improve the appearance of my smile?
3. What is a dental healthy diet?
4. What are the signs of oral cancer?
5. How do I minimize bad breath?
6. As a diabetic, do I need to follow a different oral care routine?
7. What should I do if someone in my family has a tooth knocked out?
8. Does birth control or being pregnant have any impact on my oral health?
9. Do adults need fluoride treatment?
10. What happens if I open bottles with my teeth? (just kidding)

"Oral-B understands that patients have questions and concerns about their oral care and its link to their overall health. Many of these questions can be answered by a hygienist during regular visits," said Tonya Ray, R.D.H. and M.A, and National Manager of Professional Education, Oral-B.

"Our '10 Questions to Ask Your Hygienist' campaign will prompt patients to ask questions about issues that may be of concern to them."

The three-week radio campaign will focus on three oral care-related health issues: diabetes, smoking cessation and bad breath. Each spot encourages listeners to ask their hygienist for more information. The information from the radio campaign will be available online at www.oralb.com and www.oralbprofessional.com

Oral-B will also contact hygienists through direct mail and e-mail campaigns to announce the program. Treatment room posters featuring the "10 Questions to Ask Your Hygienist" will be mailed to hygienists nationwide.

About Gillette Oral Care

With its Oral-B products, The Gillette Company is a worldwide leader in the $5 billion total brushing market. The brand includes manual and power toothbrushes for adults and children, oral irrigators, and oral care centers and interdental products such as dental floss.

With the recent acquisition of Rembrandt®, Oral-B has enhanced its oral care portfolio with whitening toothpastes, bleaching kits, mouth rinses and breath fresheners for consumer and professional use.

Oral-B manual toothbrushes, the foundation and largest category of The Gillette Company's oral care business, are used by more dentists and consumers than any other brand in the U.S. and many international markets.

Headquartered in Boston, The Gillette Company is the world leader in male grooming, a category that includes blades, razors and shaving preparations. Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices.

In addition, the Company is the world leader in alkaline batteries.