Oral Health America launches Fall for Smiles campaign

Jun 17, 2010

Oral Health America (OHA) announced the launch of Fall for Smiles, a public messaging campaign conducted in collaboration with Oral Healthcare Can't Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance.

The campaign, which begins in September, promotes messages to consumers about the importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health, the organization announced.

During the campaign, the 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 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, suggesting that routines play a role in optimum oral care habits.

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 the often overlooked topic of 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 of the 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."

Fall for Smiles is sponsored by Aspen Dental, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Oral Healthcare Can't Wait, Patterson Dental, Plackers dental flossers, and Trident.