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Free dental check-ups begin in Bareilly 1,000 Indian towns and cities will benefit as over 23,000 dentists are expected to conduct free dental check-ups as part of Oral Health Month 2010 Bareilly, September 25, 2010: Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited (“Colgate”), the market leader in oral care, in association with the Indian Dental Association (IDA), has organized free public dental check-ups in Bareilly throughout September-October as part of Oral Health Month 2010. To avail of a free dental check-up, all one has to do is SMS his/her postal pin code to 5676725 for information on a dentist in their locality. The dentist details are provided as a reply to the SMS. They then need to make a call to the dentist for an appointment, and schedule their free dental check-up. People can also log on to www.oralhealthmonth.co.in to find a dentist at a convenient location. Detailed terms & conditions applicable for availing free dental check-ups are given on the OHM website. A recent national Consumer Usage and Attitudes Survey (CUAS) conducted across the four geographic zones in India, comprising a total of 11,324 interviews by IMRB and sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, reveals that there is low level of awareness about basic oral care habits. The study reveals that 67% of Indians have never visited a dentist and around 87% of the Indian population does not believe in visiting dentists unless there is a problem. Mr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, VP Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited said, “In 2004 when the thought of OHM was conceptualized, we started with the support of 70 participating dentists. This year over 23,000 dentists are expected to pledge their support to make free public dental check-ups available in 1000 towns and cities in India. OHM wouldn’t have achieved great heights in last six years, if we didn’t have the relentless support of the IDA and the dental fraternity. Being the market leader in oral care, we have taken the ownership to generate awareness about the importance of oral care and OHM is an endeavour towards that commitment. We would urge the people to make the most of this opportunity and take the first step towards enjoying good oral health.” Dr. Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association, said, “Brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist once every six months is where basic oral care begins. However a recent study has shown that Indians are negligent when it comes to oral health. Very few realise that neglecting oral health can affect the overall health. We have been pledging our whole hearted support to the Oral Health Month since its inception in 2004 and appreciate Colgate’s initiative championing the cause of oral health awareness in India.” About Oral Health Month 2010 Oral Health Month (OHM) 2010 is a mass contact program, initiated by Colgate and supported by the IDA to generate awareness about oral care in the country. Spread over a span of two months – September and October- OHM 2010 is expected to reach out to more than 1,000 Indian towns and cities. In India, where oral health is mostly neglected, Oral Health Month is a platform to generate awareness about the need to take care of one’s oral health. Oral Health Month which was first initiated in 2004 as a 6-city programme with 70 participating dentists, reached out to over 2.4 million people in its 6th edition last year, educating them about the importance of basic oral care. About the Indian Dental Association
The Indian Dental Association, formed in 1946, is the largest recognized body of dental professionals in India, which has helped shape the National Oral Health Policy. Working towards the promotion, encouragement and advancement of dental and allied sciences the IDA has a national presence with 28 state branches and over 250 local branches spread across India. It has a combined strength of around 50,000 dentists and student members registered with it. "IDA” all along has been in the forefront of oral health campaign and, towards its goal of attaining optimum oral health in the country, it has established quite a few instruments like SPOT (Spot and Prevent Oral Cancer Trauma) Centres for early detection and treatment of oral cancer and TII (Tobacco Intervention Initiative) Centres for tobacco cessation and counselling under the banner of its Oral Cancer Foundation, Child Dental Centre for caries treatment and Educational and Training Centres for continuing education for professional advancement of dentists. For details of IDA's projects and programmes, visit IDA Website: www.ida.org.in About Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is India’s leading provider of scientifically proven oral care products with multiple benefits at various price points. The range includes toothpastes, toothpowder and toothbrushes under the “Colgate” brand, as well as a specialized range of dental therapies under the banner of Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. These have become an essential part of daily oral hygiene and therapeutic oral care in India. The Company also provides a range of personal care products under the ‘Palmolive’ brand name. Colgate has been ranked as India’s #1 Most Trusted Brand across all categories for four consecutive years from 2003 to 2007 by Brand Equity’s Most Trusted Brand Survey. It is the only brand to be in the top three for the last 10 years from 2001-2010. Prior to this, Colgate was also rated as the #1 brand by the A&M – MODE Annual Survey for India’s Top Brands for eight out of nine years during the period 1992 to 2001. For more information about Colgate’s business and products, visit the Company’s website on the internet at www.colgate.co.in. Media Contact: Atul Malikram 9827092823 Pr@atulmalikram.in
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