New Oral-B professional relations managers

Procter & Gamble's thriving oral care business has become the worldwide leader in both the manual and power toothbrush market through their acquisition of the Oral-B brands this year.

Helping to sustain the vital professional market are the newly appointed Professional Relations Managers: Simon Antoniou (right) and Kathryn Bailly (left), both progressing from their foundational positions within Oral-B.

Mr Antoniou takes the lead role as Professional Relations Manager ANZ based in Sydney. Prior to joining Oral-B, he applied his business management background to sales and business development for Philips Electronics UK (Oral Healthcare Division) and in 2004 immigrated to New Zealand to take on the role of Professional Relations Manager for Oral-B. "Working for Oral-B in New Zealand offered me a great opportunity to develop the Oral-B professional business model on a relatively blank page whilst enhancing my knowledge of the dental industry and gaining clinical understanding," he said.

"My new role offers a bigger personal challenge whilst retaining working relationships with many familiar faces I've had the pleasure of knowing over the past few years. P&G offer some exciting opportunities for Oral-B that will assist me in forging a greater synergy with Australia and New Zealand.

"Oral-B shares the dental profession's dedication to helping each patient achieve ongoing success and looks forward to continuing the support and close connection we have with practitioners."

Kathryn Bailly has been promoted from Business Manager of Oral-B NZ to the Professional Relations Manager NZ. Originally from Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada and now a Kiwi, she brings with her a diverse management career within a variety of blue chip companies including BHP New Zealand Steel, Goodman Fielder, New Zealand Dairy Foods, Pepsi and Lion Breweries.

"I have come into the oral healthcare market with no previous dental professional experience, however, I plan to use that to a positive effect," Ms Bailly said. "It means that I don't have any pre-conceived ideas or opinions about how things should or shouldn't be done. A fresh set of eyes can be useful to others who have been part of the profession for a long time.

"I'm excited about my future as the Professional Relations Manager NZ. With the already wide support for Oral-B, I'm looking forward to identifying new opportunities that will benefit both Oral-B and the dental profession at large."