Philips and SickKids team up to improve oral healthcare among children

TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - In an effort to improve oral health among Canadian children, Philips, a global leader in health and well-being, today announced a partnership with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) that will see Philips provide its Sonicare Power Toothbrushes to patients in the Hospital's dental clinic.

"Many Canadians might not realize that SickKids has an in-house dental clinic, delivering care to young patients every day with more than 15,000 visits per year," said Dr. Michael Casas, Director of Clinics, Dentistry, SickKids. "We know that good oral healthcare is linked to good overall health and we are excited to work with Philips to offer its leading edge Sonicare power toothbrushes to the children we treat in our dental clinic."

Delivering on its commitment to be the leader in health and well-being, Philips will donate more than $50,000 worth of Sonicare For Kids and Sonicare HealthyWhite power toothbrushes to the SickKids Dental Clinics. SickKids will then sell these to patients at a discount, with all proceeds going to SickKids Foundation to support the Dentistry program.

"SickKids is world-renowned for delivering the very best in healthcare," said Iain Burns, President and CEO, Philips Electronics Ltd. "As a leader in both healthcare technologies and consumer lifestyle products, Philips is proud to join with SickKids to promote good oral healthcare. By combining our Sonicare products with SickKids care, we are ensuring that children are getting the very best oral healthcare both in the hospital and at home."

About the products:

Sonicare For Kids

The first ever sonicare power toothbrush designed specifically for children aged four to 10, Sonicare For Kids removes up to 75 per cent more plaque than a child's manual toothbrush in children aged seven to 10.(1) It also has kid-friendly features to teach children to brush effectively and transition them to independent brushing - delivering exceptional results at every phase of development.

Sonicare HealthyWhite

Regular use of Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite removes more plaque than a manual toothbrush and delivers improved gum health by reducing gingivitis and preventing gingival bleeding for a deep, healthy clean. The Sonicare Healthywhite can also help whiten teeth by as much as two shades in just two weeks.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

    
    Reference
    1.  Pelka M, DeLaurenti M, Master A, et al. Int J Pediatr Dent.
        2009;19:s1
    

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For further information: Court Elliott, Communications, Philips, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]