PHILIPS INTRODUCES NEW SONICARE FLEXCARE+

PHILIPS INTRODUCES NEW SONICARE FLEXCARE+® CLINICALLY PROVEN TO IMPROVE GUM HEALTH IN JUST TWO WEEKS

Sonicare FlexCare+ Motivates Patients for Better At-Home Care

Stamford, Connecticut (October 2, 2009) – What motivates your patients to maintain a good oral health care regimen at home? For some, it may be the promise of a whiter smile; for others it’s staying free of cavities. As a dental professional, your goal is to encourage those healthy habits, yet inconsistent at-home oral care and gum disease remain common patient problems.  Philips Sonicare, the number one dental professional-recommended power toothbrush brand, has launched FlexCare+, its most advanced toothbrush yet. FlexCare+ is specifically designed to motivate patients to achieve consistent oral homecare for improved gum health. 

“As a dental professional, I know that patients often need extra motivation to maintain consistent oral care regimes,” said Dr. Hal Crossley, D.D.S., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland Dental School.  “The new Sonicare FlexCare+ has been proven to encourage patients to brush longer and more thoroughly at home for improved gum health, with the superior plaque biofilm removal that Sonicare has always delivered.”

With advanced features including a new Gum Care mode that provides two minutes of overall cleaning followed by one minute of gentle cleaning to focus extra effort on trouble spots along the gumline, FlexCare+ is clinically proven to improve gingival health in only two weeks. FlexCare+ also helps prevent gum recession, reduces bleeding sites by 71 percent in four weeks, reduces gum inflammation and even reduces gingivitis in smokers, a population at high risk for periodontal disease.

FlexCare+ motivates patients by providing a positive brushing experience that they can feel and see, including an invigorating sensation, clean-feeling teeth, excellent stain removal and less handle vibration.  In clinical studies patients brushed significantly longer with FlexCare+ in Gum Care mode than with either a manual toothbrush or Oral-B® Triumph with SmartGuide.

“We’ve updated our successful and effective FlexCare with unique features to develop the most advanced Sonicare ever,” said Dr. Joerg Strate, Vice President, Philips Oral Healthcare, Clinical & Scientific Affairs.  “FlexCare+ is the next evolution in improving patient motivation to help extend professional dental care to consistent at-home care in order to achieve a lifetime of better oral health.”

FlexCare+ continues to offer Sonicare’s patented sonic technology, five power modes and ProResult® brush heads to deliver exceptional results.  In fact, FlexCare+ removes significantly more plaque than Oral-B® Triumph or a manual toothbrush both overall and in hard-to-reach places.  Additionally, the integrated UV Sanitizer removes up to 99 percent of selected bacteria found on brush heads.

The Philips Sonicare brand is a leader in oral health care, and is backed by more than 175 publications and abstracts representing clinical and laboratory studies conducted at more than 50 universities and research institutes worldwide.  Philips Sonicare power toothbrushes are proven to promote and improve oral health, from reducing plaque to improving overall gum health.  They also have demonstrated the ability to increase patient compliance by promoting a consistent oral health and hygiene regimen between dental visits.  Philips Sonicare is the number-one power toothbrush brand recommended by U.S. dental professionals for adults. 

The suggested retail price for Philips Sonicare FlexCare+ is $189.99, and it will be available in October.  FlexCare+ will be carried at retail outlets nationwide including drug, department and specialty stores, mass merchandisers and select dental offices.  For more location information, visit www.sonicare.com/dp.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $38 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.