New Orleans Saints Help Gulf Kids Tackle Tooth Decay.

New Orleans, LA, July 2010: New Orleans Saints stars Jonathan Vilma and Pierre Thomas have a "super" game plan: they're helping New Orleans kids improve their oral health!

As part of Colgate's ongoing Bright Smiles, Bright Futures oral health initiative which brings dental care and eduction to youth - Jonathan Vilma and Pierre Thomas made a "surprise" appearance at the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana's NFL Youth Education Town Club on Friday to help teach kids about oral health. The kids were thrilled to meet their Super Bowl champion football heroes.

CDC Reports Tooth Decay on the Rise Among Youth

As the national health care conversation moves from legislation to implementation, there is a pressing need to address the importance of oral health. A Centers for Disease Control report revealed an increase in tooth decay among young children, and a Gallup-Healthways survey released last year found that only roughly half of the U.S. population visited the dentist in the last 12 months.

Dental Health Crisis in Louisiana

Despite advances, there is a critical need for oral health awareness, education and treatment in Louisiana where issues surrounding access to care and a shortage of resources pose a potential threat to the overall oral health of the state's residents. In the last "National Grading Project Report Card," issued by Oral Health America, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of oral health's importance to overall health, Louisiana scored among the lowest states in the nation.

Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Reaches More that 100 Million Youth in USA

In the U.S. alone, the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program reaches millions of under-served children. Mobile dental vans staffed by volunteer dentists, visit local communities throughout the U.S. in urban and rural areas. These volunteer dentists conduct free dental screenings, distribute multicultural educational materials, and educate children and their families about the importance of maintaining good oral health. In the United States, Colgate has reached more than 100 million children.

Like the global program, the U.S. program has a school component to promote education among children. There is also an online school curriculum featuring fun and entertaining activities for children, parents, and teachers. To learn more about Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and to bring a dental van to your community, please visit www.colgate.com.