June 19, 2012, Chicago, IL – Oral Health America (OHA) announces the launch of its third annual Fall for
Smiles public messaging campaign conducted in collaboration with lead sponsors Crest and Oral-B.,
Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance, and Patterson Dental. The
campaign begins in September and runs through October to promote messages to consumers about the
importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral
health.
On September 1, OHA will announce the results of a public opinion survey on how family economic
security relates to oral healthcare. Sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Crest and Oral-B, the
survey will ask questions about expenditures in the household, how oral health relates to employability
and how the general population obtains information about oral health. Previous OHA surveys (2011)
have shown that in the past year, more than one-third (35 percent) of those who regularly visit the
dentist have cut back on their visits. 1
Joining the lead sponsors are a broad group of dental industry champions collaborating for the
promotion’s success. Sponsors include: Aspen Dental, Atlantic Precious Metal Refining, DentaQuest,
Hispanic Dental Association, Hu-Friedy, Ivoclar Vivadent, OralDNA Labs, Organization for Safety, Asepsis
and Prevention (OSAP), Midmark, and Young Dental.
“We all need friendly reminders to practice good health habits, and they are particularly effective when
we understand why,” said Dr. R. Ivan Lugo, Oral Care Professional and Scientific Relations, Regional
Manager for North America and Puerto Rico, Procter & Gamble. “Fall for Smiles gives dental
professionals the opportunity to work together to reach out to consumers and explain why oral health is
so important to overall health and well-being.”
1 Oral Health America public opinion survey sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Plackers