For more than 25 years, Wrigley’s Oral Health Program (WOHP) have supported independent, clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum, including saliva stimulation, plaque acid neutralization, and tooth strengthening to help oral care professionals and their patients. In addition, research has further proven that chewing sugar-free gum, after eating or drinking, is a convenient tool for maintaining oral care on the go.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashok Dhoble, Honorary General Secretary of IDA said, “India experiences disparities in dental care. Further, statistics indicate that 95% of the population in India suffers from gum disease and only 2% of the population visits dentists. The National Oral Health Program has therefore been initiated to accurately assess needs, monitor outcomes, decrease discrepancies and improve access to oral care on a sustained basis.” He further added, “I am very happy that Wrigley’s Orbit® decided to partner with IDA on this journey to provide basic oral care to all. The Orbit® IDA National Oral Health Card is the first card of its kind and designed to provide many oral health benefits. Irrespective of wherever you’re in the country, with this card, you can be assured of easy access to oral care.”
According to Wrigley India spokesperson, “We are delighted to partner with IDA on this national awareness program that is expected to reach far and wide in the country. The ‘Orbit®- IDA National Oral Health Card’, will help users to maintain records of their dental visits, treatment undertaken and provide many benefits. Orbit® has in the past partnered with IDA for creating multiple platforms that promote oral health and hygiene amongst consumers and we are pleased to take our partnership to the next level. We are confident that the National Oral Health Card will start a new phase of oral care in the country.”
While unveiling the card at the World Dental Show being held in Mumbai, Orbit®’s brand ambassador & Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone said, “For all of us who are always juggling busy schedules, Oral Care on the go is the best solution. I regularly chew Orbit® sugarfree gums after everything I eat or drink. The new Orbit® – IDA National Oral Health Card indeed is a new concept. This card will now ensure easy access to dentists for millions of Indians and guarantee 100% oral care. It is therefore an important initiative and I am happy to be associated with it.”
The Orbit® –IDA National Oral Health card will have all India validity.
The next chapter of the Dental Show, named ‘Delhi Dental Show’ will be held from 12th – 14th October, 2012 in New Delhi.
About Wrigley, a Subsidiary of Mars Incorporated
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies and lollipops. Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company has operations in more than 40 countries and distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries. Three of these brands – Wrigley's Spearmint®, Juicy Fruit®, and Altoids® – have heritages stretching back more than a century. Other well-loved are Orbit®, Extra®, 5®, Skittles®, Doublemint®, Starburst®, Freedent®, Airwaves®, Life Savers®, Eclipse®, and Winterfresh®. Wrigley is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, based in McLean, Virginia. Mars is a $30-billion, family-owned company that produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food and petcare products and has growing beverage and health & nutrition businesses.
About Mars, Incorporated
In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the philosophy of a “mutuality of benefits” for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.
About the Indian Dental Association
The Indian Dental Association (IDA), formed in 1946, is the largest recognized body of dental professionals in India. It 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 30 state branches, 1 defense branch and more than 250 local branches spread across India. It has a combined strength of over 50,000 dentists and student members registered with it.
All along, IDA has been in the forefront of oral health campaigns and, towards its goal of attaining optimum oral health in the country, it has initiated quite a few novel activities like SPOT (Spot and Prevent Oral Cancer Trauma) Centers for early detection and treatment of oral cancer, TII (Tobacco Intervention Initiative) Centers for tobacco cessation and behavioral counseling under the banner of its Oral Cancer Foundation, Child Dental Centre for caries treatment and Educational and Training Centers for continuing education for professional advancement of dentists. For details of IDA's projects and programmes, visit IDA Website: www.ida.org.in.
