Partnership furthers children’s oral health

News release
March 1, 2007

Partnership furthers children’s oral health education

Almost half of New Zealand’s five-year-olds have at least one cavity [1].

Today Colgate-Palmolive New Zealand, The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society and The New Zealand Dental Association launch Families Combat Cavities Month. A programme designed to build good oral health habits from an early age.

The partnership team believes it is essential to build good oral health habits early in life to help New Zealand’s children develop strong teeth and gums for adulthood. They say the programme provides a great platform for getting the message out there.

“Colgate believes oral health is an under-exposed issue in New Zealand. We have a strong commitment to the development of oral health education campaigns for all ages and believe this partnership to be the best vehicle to educate parents at a grass-roots level,” says Darin Sheridan of Colgate-Palmolive.

“After a century of providing information and advice to parents, Plunket has a solid and respected bond with New Zealand families and we look forward to working with Plunket to provide relevant oral health information to families over the coming year.

“Couple this with the New Zealand Dental Association’s strong history of advocating and promoting oral health and we have a very passionate oral health education team.”

In addition to Families Combat Cavities month, the partnership involves the three organisations working together on a long-term strategic programme designed to help find solutions for New Zealand’s growing oral health issues, primarily through the delivery of education and expertise.

Plunket CEO Paul Baigent agrees the partnership provides a good opportunity to build on Plunket’s on-going parental education and support.

“In our experience parents are keen to get information. Being able to provide specific oral health information targeted to the needs of children at different ages is extremely useful to help build good dental health habits for children early in life.”

Dr David Crum, Executive Director of the New Zealand Dental Association recommends parents should talk to their dentist, to the school dental therapist or approach the dental association directly, for further advice regarding oral health, as all are intensely interested in improving our children’s teeth.

During March consumers can contribute to the Plunket Children’s Oral Health programme by purchasing any Colgate Oral Care product.

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