Media Alert Tuesday, 19th April 2011

On Your Marks, Get Set...Brush this Easter

Oral healthcare continues to be of concern to New Zealand children. This was highlighted by the most recent New Zealand Oral Health Survey, a national study, which shows nearly half of all New Zealand children (aged 2-17) will have a tooth cavity before they reach adulthood. (Our Oral Health: Key findings of the 2009 New Zealand Oral Health Survey, Ministry of Health 2009).

The Awesome Colgate Carton Race is part of an awareness campaign to promote the importance of healthy lifestyles while encouraging children to get brushing.

“So many kids only brush their teeth once a day,” says Rebecca Schipper, Colgate Scientific Affairs Manager. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste can make all the difference, particularly when diets are high in sugar.

“It’s not always easy to get children to brush their teeth, so the Colgate Carton Race provides a fun and interactive way to focus on good oral health. The great thing about this race is that parents and schools will be working together to enthusiastically engage young brushers”.

The object of the Race is for schools to collect as many empty Colgate toothpaste cartons as possible before June 30. The top five schools that collect the most cartons per pupil will receive $10,000 worth of sporting equipment each – so brush up and get behind your local school.
ends