1. Priester Conference
April 11, 2012
Tackling a Winnable Battle: Partners
for Oral Health

2. Problem
“silent epidemic of oral diseases is
affecting our most vulnerable citizens—
poor children, the elderly, and many
members of racial and ethnic minority
groups.” Surgeon General David Satcher,
May 2000
Know more. Do more. Live healthier.

3. Dental decay is the single most common
chronic disease of childhood
Over 16 million children suffer from untreated tooth
decay
It is 5 X more prevalent than asthma in kids
It is 7 X more common than hay fever in kids
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4. • Poor kids suffer twice as much dental
disease as affluent kids
• Rural areas have more difficulty
accessing dental care
• Minority children suffer significantly more
dental disease
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5. • It impacts a child’s ability to learn, to
develop self esteem, speak properly
• 51 million school hours are lost annually
due to dental problems
• The mouth is the gateway to a person’s
overall health, and an unhealthy mouth
can be linked to obesity, diabetes and
even heart disease.
• Unhealthy children become unhealthy
adults
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6. Solution
Use nationwide consumer
advertising to reach our
targeted groups
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7. Know more. Do more. Live healthier.

8. Partnership for Healthy
Mouths, Healthy Lives
Healthier children who can
grow, learn and play.

9. Partnership for Healthy Mouths,
Healthy Lives
Members include: Association
• Academy of General Dentistry
• American Academy of Oral and • American Dental Hygienists’
• 34 groups!!
Maxillofacial Pathology Association
• American Academy of Pediatrics • Association of State Territorial
• American Academy of Pediatric Dental Directors
Dentistry • California Dental Association
• American Academy of • Children’s Dental Health Project
• Purpose:
Periodontology • Dental Trade Alliance Foundation
• American Association for Dental • Hispanic Dental Association
Research • Medicaid SCHIP Dental
Improve children’s • American Association of
Endodontists •
Association
National Children’s Oral Health
oral health so that • American Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons •
Foundation
National Dental Association
they can develop • American Association of
Orthodontists
• National Network for Oral Health
Access
into healthy, • American Association of Public • Oral Health America
Health Dentistry
productive adults • American Association of Women
• Organization for Safety, Asepsis
and Prevention
Dentists • Society of American Indian
• American College of Dentists
• Prosthodontists • US Dept of Health and Human
• American Dental Association Services Office of Minority Health
• American Dental Education
Know more. Do more. Live healthier.

11. The Ad Council
produces, distributes and promotes
public service campaigns on behalf of
non-profit organizations and
government agencies. The private,
non-profit organization is known for
such iconic advertising campaigns as
Smokey Bear’s “Only You Can Prevent
Forest Fires” and McGruff the Crime
Dog’s “Take A Bite Out Of Crime.”

12. Campaign
The goal is to improve children’s oral health
• Raise awareness of parents and caregivers
• Provide oral health education to parents and caregivers
• Enable parents and caregivers to take control and
modify behaviors through simple low cost preventive
strategies
– Get children preventive care and needed treatment
– Increase utilization of the care safety net, volunteer
and school based efforts and care provided by coalition
members

13. Message
Take charge of your child’s oral health
Mouth problems can be prevented
Your child will
• Feel better and avoid pain
• Have better self esteem
• Learn better
• Better nutrition
• Be healthier overall
Every child deserves a healthy smile

14. Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy
Lives
Active Participation and Campaign Promotion
• Membership for non-profits and governmental
groups
• Incorporate Campaign’s message into Member’s
marketing materials, including advertising,
packaging, websites, public relations materials,
direct mail and ancillary communications programs
Know more. Do more. Live healthier.

15. Active Participation and Campaign
Promotion
• Engage and encourage Member’s clients, members,
constituents, stakeholders, sponsors and other
affiliated entities to support the Campaign and
Coalition efforts, including distribution of campaign
materials and messages.
Know more. Do more. Live healthier.

16. Thank You
Information:
garyprice@dentaltradealliance.org