UPDATE: Nation's Dentists Get Behind Fluoride Awareness Campaign for Kids

ATLANTA, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Children's Dental Health Month in February, more than 6,400 members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) will kick off a national campaign in partnership with Spring!(TM) by Dannon(R) Fluoride to Go(TM) to help focus attention on the importance of drinking water with fluoride for children.

Today, dental decay is still one of the most common childhood diseases -- five times as common as asthma in 5-17-year-olds.(1) It affects more than one fifth of American children aged 2-4, half of those aged 6-8 and nearly 60 percent of those aged 15.(2) The awareness campaign recognizes that children in the United States may not be getting enough fluoride to fight preventable tooth decay due to the dramatic rise in consumption of bottled waters,(3) and the fact that 40 percent of children do not have optimal levels of fluoride in their local water supply.(4)

"Drinking water with fluoride is still the easiest and most effective way to fight tooth decay," said AAPD president Dr. H. Pitts Hinson. "In fact, communities with an optimal level of fluoride in their municipal water supply experience a 20 - 30 percent reduction in decay, which can translate into significant financial savings in dental expenses and a lifetime of maintenance. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reaffirm the benefits of community water fluoridation and found that for larger communities, every $1 invested in this preventative measure yields approximately $38 savings in dental treatment costs. Spring! by Dannon Fluoridated Spring Water contains our recommended level of fluoride, making it easy for parents to give their kids the right amount to beat tooth decay. It also offers those parents living in low-fluoridated communities an alternative to fluoride supplements."(5)

"Parents who prefer bottled spring water to keep their kids healthy and hydrated now can choose the convenience of bottled water, confident that they are also providing essential fluoride," said Deb Roberts, senior brand manager, Spring! by Dannon. "Our Fluoride to Go bottles are kid-sized and clearly marked with fluoride levels to help parents ensure their kids are getting the right amount to keep teeth strong and healthy."

The national awareness campaign will start with the distribution of educational activity books at pediatric dental offices and clinics nationwide. Parents and children will receive information about the importance of fluoride in their fight against cavities. A Spring! by Dannon product coupon will also be included. Spring! by Dannon Fluoride to Go is an easy and fun way to help youth drink more water and get the recommended level of fluoride. For further information about the Spring! by Dannon Fluoride to Go and AAPD fluoride education campaign and tips on how to prevent tooth decay, visit http://www.aapd.org/ .

How Much Fluoride?(6)

Parents should consult their dentist regarding fluoride intake. The following schedule can be used as a discussion tool.

       Children                   Recommended Daily Fluoride Intake *
      Ages 6m - 3                         0.25 mg F/day
                                       1 bottle of Spring!
      Ages 3 - 6                           0.5 mg F/day
                                       2 bottles of Spring!
      Ages 6 - 16                         1.00 mg F/day
                                       4 bottles of Spring!
     Over 16 years                        1.00 mg F/day
                                       4 bottles of Spring!

  * serving size based on one 8.5 fl oz glass of fluoridated water or one
    8.5 fl oz bottle of Spring! by Dannon Fluoridated Spring Water with
    0.25 mg of fluoride added.  This table assumes less than 0.3 mg of
    fluoride in the municipal drinking water.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tips by the AAPD to prevent tooth decay and a product photo are available, please email rcrockett@na.ko.com or jen@relishminds.com

About the AAPD

Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a non-profit membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. The AAPD's over 6,000 members are primary care providers who also provide comprehensive specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs.

As advocates of children's oral health, the AAPD works closely with the AAPD Foundation, legislators, professional associations and health care professionals to develop policies and guidelines, implement research opportunities in pediatric oral health, and educate pediatric dentists, health care providers and the public regarding pediatric oral health. For further information, please visit http://www.aapd.org .

About Spring! by Dannon Fluoride to Go

Spring! by Dannon Fluoridated Spring Water originates from protected springs and is bottled with minimal processing by CCDA Waters. Up to 1 mg of fluoride per liter of water is added according to optimal level guidelines recommended by the AAPD, equaling 0.25 mg of fluoride in one 8.5 fl oz bottle. Spring! by Dannon Fluoride to Go Fluoridated Natural Spring Water has 60 percent share of the fluoridated water market and is growing faster than the youth-sized water segment.(7) It is available with or without fluoride in single serve, kid-sized 8.5 fl oz bottles with sports bottle tops and sold at grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide. A new look, including the updated name, "Spring! by Dannon", will be in supermarkets beginning next month. For more information about Dannon Natural Spring Water, please visit our website at http://www.dannonwater.com .

SPRING!, the Spring Coil, and the Splash designs are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. DANNON is a registered trademark of The DANNON Company, Inc., used under license by CCDA Waters, L.L.C. "Fluoride to go" is a registered trademark of CCDA Waters, L.L.C.

  (1) ADA Fluoridation Facts, 2005. www.ada.org
  (2) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000. National
      Center for Health Statistics, CDC.
  (3) Study findings indicate that Americans consumed more than 5 million
      gallons of bottled water in 2000, more than double the amount a decade
      earlier. JADA, Vol. 134, September 2003
  (4) AAPD, 2003-2005, www.aapd.org
  (5) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2001: Cost Savings
      of Community Water Fluoridation.
  (6) Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Vitamin
      D, and Fluoride. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine.
  (7) AC Nielsen 2005, annual supers, mass and drug.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has reviewed this material to ensure scientific accuracy. However, this does not imply endorsement of Dannon products.

Five Tips to Help Kids Take a Bite Out of Tooth Decay

Dentists across the country will be working together this month to educate parents and children about better dental care in honor of National Children's Dental Health Month. Despite recent improvements in dental care in the United States, tooth decay is still one of the most common childhood diseases. It is five times as common as asthma in 5-17-year-olds.(A) It affects more than one fifth of American children aged 2-4, half of those aged 6-8 and nearly 60 percent of those aged 15.(B) Dr. H. Pitts Hinson, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), offers these five simple tips to help you and your kids in the fight against tooth decay.

  1. A Good Cleaning. Your child may think they're old enough to brush their
     own teeth, but until they reach the age of six, make sure to take
     command and brush their teeth for them at least twice a day, using a
     pea-sized amount of ADA-approved toothpaste. After age six, continue to
     supervise brushing to make sure they reach every tooth and brush
     properly. Tooth care starts with the first tooth -- brush your baby's
     gums and emerging teeth gently after each feeding with a toothbrush
     designed for infants and toddlers.

  2. Visit your Dentist. Visit a dentist as soon as your baby's first tooth
     appears and no later than age one. Book routine visits for professional
     cleanings and check ups as recommended by your child's dentist. Your
     baby's first teeth are beautiful and cavity-free, regular visits can
     help keep them that way and could save you a lot on dental care.

  3. Drink Fluoridated Water. Water fluoridation can prevent up to
     40 percent of tooth decay.(C) Drinking water with fluoride is still the
     easiest and most effective way to fight tooth decay. If you're among
     the 40 percent of families without optimal levels of fluoridation in
     your municipal tap or well water, talk to your dentist about
     fluoridation options. If you prefer your kids to drink bottled water,
     be aware that not all waters contain optimal fluoride levels and make
     sure it's clearly labeled "with fluoride."  Spring! by Dannon
     Fluoride(TM) to Go(R) Spring Water, which has 0.25 mg of fluoride in
     every 8.5 fl oz bottle -- the level recommended by the AAPD -- comes in
     a perfect size for your little ones. You can't miss it -- it's the one
     that looks like a school bus!

  4. Don't Forget in Between. A toothbrush can't get into every nook and
     cranny so it's important to floss. You will have to floss for them;
     it's the only way to reach lingering food particles lurking between
     your child's teeth.

  5. Eat Well. Make sure your child eats a balanced diet, stays hydrated,
     and seeks healthy options for between-meal snacks. Do not put your
     child to bed with a bottle containing anything but water, and encourage
     use of a cup as their first birthday approaches.

For more dental care tips and information about safe fluoridation levels, visit http://www.aapd.org. For a product photo please e-mail rcrockett@na.ko.com or jen@relishminds.com.

SPRING!, the Spring Coil, and the Splash designs are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. DANNON is a registered trademark of The DANNON Company, Inc., used under license by CCDA Waters, L.L.C. "Fluoride to go" is a registered trademark of CCDA Waters, L.L.C.

  (A) ADA Fluoridation Facts, 2005. www.ada.org
  (B) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000. National
      Center for Health Statistics, CDC.
  (C) ADA eGram, July 22, 2005

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has reviewed this material to ensure scientific accuracy. However, this does not imply endorsement of Dannon products.

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: