One-third of Americans have cut back on visits to the dentist

This finding was one of the many reasons why on Sept. 1, Oral Health America launched its second annual Fall for Smiles campaign, aiming to remind policymakers and the public about the importance of dental self-care, regular dental visits, healthy food choices and avoiding tobacco products.

Fall for Smiles runs through the end of October. Dental offices, health educators, school dental program officials, parents and others can find a variety of tools to promote healthy mouths, including a social media guide, coloring sheets and campaign handbook by visiting www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.

“Fall for Smiles reminds families to prioritize the health of their mouths in back-to-school routines,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO of Oral Health America. “The commitment to dental health starts at home, and continues with regular visits to a dental care provider. We have a societal responsibility to educate Americans about why oral health is important, and to ensure that all Americans, particularly those most vulnerable to disease, are able to obtain the care they need.”

Additional findings in the public opinion survey found that a greater number —nearly one-half (47 percent) — of larger households and those with younger children have cut back on their visits to the dentist in the past year. Those who have younger children cut back more frequently than those households that have slightly older children. This further emphasizes the impact the economic downturn is having on young families who are struggling to get established and the need for policies and programs that support dental care and educational resources for them.

“The findings from the public opinion survey reinforce why Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait is involved with Fall for Smiles,” said Gary Price, president of Dental Trade Alliance. “The messages that Fall for Smiles promotes are vital when Americans are making choices about how to allocate resources and stay healthy.”

Oral Health America is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives by connecting communities with resources to increase access to dental care, education and advocacy. The Fall for Smiles Survey is sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Plackers, a brand of consumer oral care products, and conducted by Harris Interactive. The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Oral Health America in June 2011.

Fall for Smiles is supported by Aspen Dental, DentaQuest, Ivoclar Vivadent, Midmark, OralDNA Labs, Patterson Dental, Plackers and Young Dental.

(Source: PRWEB)