Smiles Across America

Oral Health America's newest program, Smiles Across America (SAA), responds directly to the messages of the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health in America (2000) and the Call to Action to Promote Oral Health in America (2003), by linking local governments, businesses, and funders with care providers and schools to help fight untreated oral disease. The program includes communications and marketing strategies to underscore the message that oral health is critical to overall health.

After a program demonstration in St. Louis, OHA launched SAA with partners in the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Department of Public Health in Spring 2004, reaching over 1,000 children in 15 schools. The Chicago program targets uninsured second and sixth graders with disease prevention services.

In 2005, with funding from Ronald McDonald House Charities, Patterson Dental Foundation, Trident GUM, and numerous local sponsors and partners, the program was expanded to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara/Ventura County (CA) and Maine. Each site presents unique challenges and a distinct infrastructure in addressing the oral health needs of underserved populations.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America, affecting 50 percent of first graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. Untreated tooth decay and disease can affect a child’s health, well-being, growth, and achievement. Children with serious oral health problems can have difficulty eating and sleeping, or concentrating in school.

Over 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related problems.

For more information about Smiles Across America, contact Joseph Donohue at joe@oralhealthamerica.org.

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