Oral-B Introduces Two New High-Performance Power Toothbrushes.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2004

The Gillette Company, the global leader in the $5 billion manual and power toothbrush market, today introduced two new premium power rechargeable toothbrushes from Oral-B(R), the worldwide leader in oral care. With the introduction of Oral-B Professional Care 8000 and Oral-B Sonic Complete, the first entry into the sonic category, Oral-B now offers a comprehensive collection of clinically-proven oral care products to suit every consumer's brushing choice.

"We recognize that not one form of toothbrush fits all consumers," said Bruce Cleverly, president, Gillette Oral Care. "As the worldwide leader in oral health, we want to provide consumers with a complete portfolio of top-performing products in all brushing segments - manual, battery, oscillating-rotating and now sonic."

Oral-B Professional Care 8000 Series

With Professional Care 8000 Series, Oral-B will provide consumers with a dentist-inspired oral care system for superior teeth cleaning and whitening and rejuvenation of gums, for the ultimate in whole mouth health. The new Professional Care 8000 Series is the latest entry into the successful premium Professional Care line. The Professional Care Series line features rotation oscillation action - a technology pioneered by Oral-B - that has been proven to be demonstrably more effective in removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than other types of power toothbrushes - including those featuring "sonic" technology.

The new Professional Care 8000 Series features speed control to provide individualized brushing, a premium ergonomic handle design for comfort, and multiple brush heads and accessories for more advanced, customized cleaning.

Oral-B Sonic Complete

For consumers who prefer a sonic toothbrush, Oral-B Sonic Complete is designed for complete mouth care. The new Oral-B Sonic Complete includes three brushing modes for customized tooth, gum and tongue care, advanced brush head technology featuring Oral-B's innovative CrissCross(TM) bristles, and a slim, light-weight handle for better comfort and control.

Consumer use testing conducted by Oral-B indicates that 61 percent of consumers who expressed a preference, prefer Oral-B Sonic Complete over Sonicare(R) Elite. Additionally, Oral-B Sonic Complete achieved preference wins in key attributes, including cleaning along the gum line and having a pleasant mouth feel.

The introduction of Professional Care 8000 Series and Oral-B Sonic Complete will be supported by print and television advertising, in-store communications, promotions and direct marketing. Professional Care 8000 Series and Oral-B Sonic Complete will retail for retail from $99.99 to $119.99, depending on the model. Both toothbrushes will be available in North America in August at drug, mass, department and specialty retailers.

Gillette Oral Care

With its Oral-B products, The Gillette Company is a worldwide leader in the $5 billion total brushing market. The brand includes manual and power toothbrushes for adults and children, oral irrigators, and oral care centers and interdental products such as dental floss. With the recent acquisition of Rembrandt(R), Oral-B will enhance its oral care portfolio with whitening toothpastes, bleaching kits, mouth rinses and breath fresheners for consumer and professional use. Oral-B manual toothbrushes, the foundation and largest category of The Gillette Company's oral care business, are used by more dentists and consumers than any other brand in the U.S. and many international markets.

Headquartered in Boston, The Gillette Company is the world leader in male grooming, a category that includes blades, razors and shaving preparations. Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices. In addition, the Company is the world leader in alkaline batteries.