COLGATE AND NATIONAL DENTAL ASSOCIATION
LAUNCH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR DIABETES PATIENTS

NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 10, 2004 - Recognizing the link between oral health and patients' overall wellness, Colgate-Palmolive Company and the National Dental Association (NDA) have launched an educational awareness campaign to encourage African Americans with diabetes to take good care of their teeth and gums.

"This is an important step toward healthier communities of color," said Marsha Butler, D.D.S., Vice President, Global Professional Relations and Marketing for Colgate, and a founding member of the NDA Corporate Roundtable. "Our long-term goal is to help eliminate health disparities for African Americans and other at-risk audiences by partnering with healthcare professionals and our extensive network of community resources."

During the recent convention in Los Angeles, dental professionals completed the first NDA/Colgate Oral Health Trends Survey, increasing African American dentists' leadership role in the overall care, treatment and wellness of African Americans and other underserved communities. The NDA is the largest and oldest organization of minority oral health professionals in the world, with 7,000 members.

Given the relationship between oral care and better overall health, 83% of those surveyed said they educate patients regarding possible links between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease and pre-term low birth weight babies.

Diabetes is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. About 13 percent, or 2.8 million of all African Americans have diabetes, caused when the pancreas fails to produce the right amount of insulin to move the glucose (or "sugar") from our blood into cells, to nourish the body. This can lead to kidney disease, low birth-weight babies, blindness and amputations - all of which affect African Americans in greater numbers. Death rates for people with diabetes are 27 percent higher for African Americans as compared to whites.

According to Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, published in 2000, studies support the association between diabetes and increased occurrence and severity of periodontal diseases. The Surgeon General's report concluded that diabetes is "a risk factor for periodontal disease, inflammatory connective tissue diseases and acute infections."

During the NDA meeting, dentists also learned about disease management and other healthcare options for diabetic patients during a Colgate-sponsored symposium: "Epidemiology and Management of Periodontal Diseases in People with Diabetes," presented by George Taylor, D.M.D., Dr.P.H. and Anthony Neely, D.D.S., M.DentSc., Ph.D.

To assist dentists in communicating with patients' who have or are at risk for diabetes, Colgate has created patient education materials for dental offices. Encouraging those who have diabetes to "check up on your oral health," and fight their personal battle with gum disease, patients should:
-Brush twice a day;
-Brush long enough to thoroughly clean all tooth surfaces;
-Pay special attention to back teeth and areas around crowns and bridges when brushing;
-Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner;
-Use Colgate® Total® to provide protection against gingivitis, an early form of gum disease;
-Visit your dentist as often as recommended;
-Inform your dental professionals that you have diabetes and what medications you are taking.

Since 1991, Colgate and the NDA have helped improve oral health in underserved communities. Long-standing initiatives include: $1.9 million in scholarship grants to 1,800 undergraduate and post-graduate dental students - made by the NDA Foundation and Colgate; $2.8 million for student internships, basic and clinical research at historically African American dental programs at Howard University and Meharry Medical College; extensive community outreach efforts via the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures™ oral health program for youth, globally serving more than 50 million children, with a goal to reach 100 million children by 2010.

The NDA has become a powerful voice for the health care rights of the disenfranchised, dedicated to providing affordable dental care and education. Embracing the philosophy that health care is a right for every American - not just a privilege - the NDA seeks to elevate the health status of racial and ethnic populations, children, the indigent, the elderly and the disabled. To learn more, visit www.ndaonline.org.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Household Surface Care, Fabric Care and Pet Nutrition. In the U.S., Colgate sells its quality products under such nationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Ajax, Irish Spring, Softsoap® brand, Murphy Oil Soap, Ultra Brite and Fab, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet pet foods. For more information about Colgate-Palmolive and its products, visit www.Colgate.com; to learn more about Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures™ program, visit www.Colgatebsbf.com.

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