Grounded in more than two decades of clinical research and consumer outreach, the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) has activations in more than 45 countries with one uniting focus: to help oral care professionals and patients worldwide better understand the role of sugar-free gum in a regular oral care routine. With clinical research proving that chewing sugar-free gum, like Orbit®, can reduce the incidence of tooth decay by up to 40%¹, dentists around the world are agreeing that "Check-up, Brush, Floss, Chew" is a strong combination for healthy teeth and healthy gums.

¹ Szoke J. Banoczy J. Proski HM (2001) Effect of after-meal sucrose-free gum chewing on clinical caries. Journal of Dental Research 80(8): 1725-29

From working with local dental associations to provide dental check-ups, to partnering with schools on educational children's programs, to providing research grants for dental professionals, Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs are helping to educate patients and dental professionals around the world on the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum. Here are some specific examples:

Mobile Dental Screening Bus
Poland

This Wrigley-sponsored bus is the cornerstone of a very successful patient-outreach program in Poland. The bus, which is staffed by dental professionals, visits schools all across the country providing free dental check-ups for children aged 7-9 years. Children who are screened also receive free Orbit sugar-free gum samples and DENTIMAN® educational comic books. This overall program helps to build awareness among mothers and children regarding the importance of good oral health, which includes chewing sugar-free gum after meals. Since up to 80 percent of the children who are screened have cavities, this patient education program is especially needed and welcomed. In 2007 the bus toured 50 schools and 7,300 children were examined.

Dental Research Support and Dental Student Outreach Programs
Germany

Since 1993 Wrigley has partnered with the German Association for Preventive Dentistry to sponsor what has become one of the highest esteemed awards in German dentistry, the Wrigley Prevention Award for research. Within 15 years, more than 50 awards have been presented, and more than 200 research projects have resulted. Each project winner receives a $15,000 (USA) grant to continue their important research. In addition, Germany pioneered the StuDent program, which educates dental students on the functional benefits of saliva and chewing sugar-free gum. The program has been endorsed by key opinion leaders and is already incorporated into the curriculum of 40 percent of Germany's dental schools.

School Outreach Program
China

In China, Wrigley has created a school-based educational program for children to help encourage good oral care practices. The program teaches them how to take care of their teeth, including brushing and chewing sugar-free gum after eating. The children are encouraged to share the information learned with their parents, further extending the educational opportunities. Since 2003 the school program has been featured in 15 cities. Currently 5 million students in 5,000 schools participate in the program each year.

School and Government Partnerships
Baltic States

Since 2001, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have partnered with regional school boards to help teach 5-7 year-olds to take care of their teeth and to educate them on the importance of chewing sugar-free gum after eating. The "Tooth and Friends" program, which is supported by the local dental associations, provides colorful booklets with activities for children, and all children who participate in the program also receive sugar-free gum samples. In the 2007-2008 school year, materials were distributed to 56,000 children. In addition, in Latvia in October 2007, Wrigley expanded its program to partner with the government to sponsor two mobile dental clinics. This partnership is a cost-effective way to reach the children, as only 50 percent of those under 18 visit the dentist once a year due to inaccessibility. Since October 2007, 3,000 children have received screenings and, if necessary, treatment through this mobile clinic program.