FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2012
Contact: Melissa Hoebbel
Melissa@oralhealthamerica.org
(312) 836-9900
FEWER AMERICANS TURNING TO DENTISTS FOR MOUTH PAIN
Oral Health America Launches Fall for Smiles® Campaign to Promote Healthy Mouths
Chicago, IL –September 1, 2012— A recent public opinion survey commissioned by Oral Health America
revealed that Americans are more likely to take a pain killer for a toothache than to consult a dentist. Of
those who don't regularly see a dentist, most (73 percent) give financial considerations as the reason.1
These results confirm that many are still struggling financially in this country and oral health often
suffers as a consequence.
The survey findings make the third annual Fall for Smiles® campaign, launching September 1 and running
through the end of October, more important than ever. The campaign reminds policymakers and the
public of the importance of caring for their mouths, including regular dental visits, healthy food choices
and avoiding tobacco products. Dental offices, health educators, school oral health 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.
“Oral Health America recognizes that many families are making difficult choices about how to spend
resources during the busy back-to-school season,” said Beth Truett, President & CEO, Oral Health
America. “Fall for Smiles reminds them to prioritize oral health because the mouth is the gateway to the
body, and will affect children’s ability to be free from pain, pay attention in school and have healthy selfesteem. The goal of this campaign is to educate Americans about why a healthy mouth 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 show that Americans ages 18-34 are the most likely not
to receive any dental care.1 Households earning less than $50,000 with children are also more likely not
to consult a dentist first when facing dental pain. 1 This shows that there is a significant need for policies
and programs that support dental care to ensure that the 165 million work hours lost each year2 from
preventable dental problems do not continue to escalate.
“The findings from the public opinion survey reinforce why Procter & Gamble is involved with Fall for
Smiles,” said R. Iván Lugo, DMD, MBA, Oral Care Professional and Scientific Relations, Regional Manager
1
2
Oral Health America public opinion survey sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Procter & Gamble
Office of the Surgeon General, “National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health”
for North America and Puerto Rico, Procter & Gamble. “The messages that Fall for Smiles promotes are
vital when Americans are making choices about how to allocate resources and stay healthy.”
Fall for Smiles is supported by: Atlantic Precious Metal Refining, Aspen Dental, Dental Trade Alliance,
DentaQuest, Hispanic Dental Association, Hu-Friedy, Ivoclar Vivadent, Midmark, OralDNA Labs, OSAP,
Patterson Dental, Procter & Gamble and Young Dental. For more information or to help promote that
campaign please visit: www.oralhealthamerica.org
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About Oral Health America
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 Procter & Gamble and conducted by
Harris Interactive®. The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of
Oral Health America in June 2012. To learn more about oral health America visit:
www.oralhealthamerica.org
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves approximately 4.4 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of
the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®,
Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®,
Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, Ambi Pur®,
SK-II®, and Vicks®. The P&G community includes operations in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit
http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About Crest
A trusted leader in oral health, Crest was the first oral care brand to secure the ADA Seal of Acceptance
for a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste. Since first introducing fluoride toothpaste 54 years ago, it is
estimated that Crest has helped prevent more than half a billion cavities in the United States.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Crest is owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble.
About Oral-B
Oral-B is the worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market. Part of the Procter & Gamble
Company, the brand includes manual and power toothbrushes for children and adults, oral irrigators
and interdental products, such as dental floss. Oral-B toothbrushes are used by more dentists in the
world than any other brand.
About Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait
Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait (OHCW) is a multifaceted oral health awareness campaign for dental
professionals (www.oralhealthcarecantwait.com) and consumers (www.visityourdentistnow.com) in an
effort to educate people about the risks of canceling or postponing regular dental checkups and
recommended treatment. Through the OHCW website, dental professionals have access to download
free marketing materials to reinforce this message and keep their business going strong. OHCW is
sponsored by The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA), a nonprofit trade association representing leading dental
manufacturers, distributors, and laboratories.
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