National Partners Launch "Air Time for Periodontal Disease" Campaign

Oral Health America and 1-800-DENTIST® Team Up on Total Health Message

November 20 , 2006

CHICAGO--A new Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign launched today takes aim at periodontal (or gum) disease, and encourages Americans to learn more about this infection, which affects most adults but is often ignored and rarely brought up in conversation in typical health care settings. Oral Health America and 1-800-DENTIST ® are collaborating on the campaign to urge people to ask their dentists, dental hygienists, and health care providers about periodontal disease and how it can affect overall health.

“Patients and care providers can work together to identify and manage this very common but under diagnosed disease,” said Robert Klaus, President and CEO of Oral Health America . “We are learning more every day about the connections between a healthy mouth and systemic health, and taking charge of your health means taking a good look at your mouth.”

The PSAs are airing throughout the country in prime media markets, and feature dentistry leader Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD and Fred Joyal, CEO and Co-Founder of 1-800-DENTIST.

Dr. Christensen's message highlights how common the disease is, and what can happen if undetected. “Periodontal disease, present in a significant percentage of the population, is usually painless and slowly progressive, but it causes bad breath, eventual tooth loss, and potentially serious overall health consequences,” said Dr. Christensen.

New studies show associations between periodontal disease and stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pre-term, low-weight births. While direct links are still under investigation, an infection in the mouth can only have a negative effect on total health. The aging process plays a role in exacerbating periodontal disease, so older Americans are particularly at risk.

"This disease is having a profound effect on the overall health of millions of Americans, and there is almost no awareness of it. We feel it's our responsibility as leaders in the dental community to heighten this awareness and offer solutions," said Joyal.

1-800-DENTIST ® , the nation's leading free resource for people in search of a dentist, has matched over five million Americans with dentists since 1986. The company's fundamental mission has been to inform and educate the public about modern dentistry and the importance of making regular dental office visits. This message can be seen on television 5,000 times a month as well as in the Yellow Pages and on the Web. For dentists, 1-800-DENTIST is a cooperative marketing program that has thousands of members across the country. For more information, visit www.1800dentist.com .

CONTACT

Elizabeth Rogers, (207) 771-8824

Oral Health America is the nation's premier, independent advocacy organization dedicated to improving oral health.