Aspen Dental to Team up with Oral Health America on Oral Health Education

ore than 250 Aspen Dental practices in 20 states are teaming up with Oral Health America (OHA) to raise awareness about the oral health issues faced by adults and older Americans, an often-overlooked topic. Slated to run from September 20-24, the initiative is part of OHA’s Fall for Smiles® campaign, which will promote the importance of self care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health.

“Good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are important at any age. But the mouth, gums and teeth go through changes as we age, so there are special considerations that adults and seniors should keep in mind when it comes to maintaining oral health,” said Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “We’re proud to be partnering with OHA to educate Americans about this issue.”

Among the topics to be addressed by the campaign are the link between oral and overall health, common issues faced by denture-wearers, and how some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can impact oral health. The joint educational initiative will include online resources and media components, as well as discounted services at Aspen Dental practices.

About Aspen Dental

One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care.

Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network currently has more than 250 locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental doctors recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com. To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.

Oral Health America announces campaign

Oral Health America has announced launch of Fall for Smiles.

Fall for Smiles is a public messaging campaign conducted in collaboration with Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance. The campaign begins in September 2010 to promote messages to consumers about the importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health.

During the campaign, OHA will announce the results of a public opinion survey on consumers’ beliefs about oral health. Sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Plackers dental flossers, the survey of more than 1,000 adults and more than 1,000 children asked questions about oral care habits and perceptions.

Prior OHA surveys have shown that adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria play in tooth decay, and that time spent brushing teeth tends to diminish at nighttime and on weekends. This suggests that routines play a role in optimum oral care habits.

“The Fall for Smiles campaign is intended to bring the oral health community together to promote common messaging about what Americans can do to keep their mouths healthy,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO, Oral Health America.

“We are excited about the strong interest we have from the public and private sectors in a messaging campaign in the third quarter that reminds consumers about the importance of oral care routines as families are heading back to school and back to work.”

Fall for Smiles will include outreach to dental care providers through a participation booklet and kit created by Patterson Dental. The campaign will also dedicate a week to oral health issues faced by mature adults and older Americans, an initiative being sponsored by Aspen Dental. A “Tobacco Free Week” will focus on the oral health risks of tobacco use.

“Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait shares a common purpose with OHA’s Fall for Smiles campaign—to increase dental patient awareness,” said Gary Price, CEO, Dental Trade Alliance. “Our members are encouraged by the collaborative nature of this effort, and the multiple opportunities for outreach to patient populations and opinion leaders throughout the country.”

For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.

To read more about Oral Health America, go to Oral Health America.