MEPs Launch Call to Action for Better Oral Health to Commissioner Dalli

Broad Support to Improve Oral Health Prevention and Access to Dental Care in Europe

BRUSSELS, September 14, 2010 - Dr Thomas Ulmer MEP and Dr Cristian Silviu Busoi MEP marked
the 3rd annual World Oral Health Day by issuing a Call to Action for Better
Oral Health in Europe to John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and
Consumer Policy, challenging the European Union (EU) to make progress in
combating oral diseases and reducing the burden of oral health maintenance
for all citizens.

The Call has been signed by leading Members of the European
Parliament and is supported by the FDI World Dental Federation, the European
Association of Dental Public Health (EADPH), the Council of European Chief
Dental Officers (CECDO), the Association of Dental Education in Europe
(ADEE), and the Wrigley Oral Health Programs (WOHP).

"Oral health diseases are easily preventable," Dr Ulmer MEP
and Dr Busoi MEP said in a written statement. "Today's Call to Action is
intended to spur Commissioner Dalli and other EU leaders to support Member
States in making best use of the various routine, achievable oral health
solutions that are already in existence. These solutions include using
fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing, chewing sugar-free gum and having
regular dental check-ups."

Oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontal
disease, affect a broad segment of European citizens, with a disproportionate
effect on those from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background. "Every year,
Europeans spend more than 54 billion euros on oral healthcare, yet, still,
only 41% of European adults currently have all their natural teeth. This
imbalance needs to be addressed."

The aim of the Call to Action is to improve oral health in
Europe in a comprehensive and cost-effective way. To achieve this goal, Dr
Ulmer MEP and Dr Busoi MEP call on the European Commission to:

    - Make oral health a priority under the Community Health
    Action programme;

    - Address existing oral health inequalities as part of the
    implementation of the corresponding EU Strategy[1];

    - Provide funding for oral health and oral prevention research
    under the Research Framework Programme-specifically funding for research
    into effective strategies for more inclusionary dental care as well as
    the development of innovative approaches to oral prevention.

1. Communication from the European Commission on "Solidarity in health:
reducing health inequalities in the EU", 10 October 2009

About Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs

For more than 25 years, Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs have supported
independent, clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum including
saliva stimulation, plaque inhibition and tooth strengthening to help oral
care professionals and their patients understand the role of sugar free gum
as a convenient tool for everyday oral care. Today, Wrigley operates oral
healthcare programs in 47 countries worldwide. The program helps promote
better oral healthcare by investing in supportive campaigns for the dental
team and the wider community. The FDI - World Dental Federation recognizes
that "chewing sugarfree gum is proven to benefit oral health".

Find more information at www.wrigley.com

For further enquiries please contact: Alex Dalgeish, Corporate Affairs - West Europe, Wrigley, Phone: +44(0)7734-494-700, E-mail: alex.dalgeish at wrigley.com