Dental accessories

According to the AC Nielsen Grocery Report 2005, dental accessories were the fastest growing grocery category in 2005 with a 31% increase in sales value over 2004, chiefly attributed to powered dental flossing and textured teeth wipe products.

When dental suppliers are considered against the top ranked suppliers by grocery value however, the highest ranked dental supplier (Colgate Palmolive) came in at No 13, behind a top 10 that contained three tobacco firms, 3 confectionary and/or soft drink firms, and assorted food suppliers. Other dental accessory suppliers listed in the Top 100 for 2005 were Procter and Gamble (ranked 29) and Gillette (ranked 32). The acquisition of Gillette by Procter and Gamble since then will change the ranking for the 2006 Grocery Report.

Tobacco suppliers ranked first, third and tenth by dollar value in the 2005 Grocery Report's Top 100 .

Clearly, the health professions and Governments still have much work to do in promoting better consumer choices in the interests of improved oral and general health.