“Good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are important at any age. But the mouth, gums and teeth go through changes as we age, so there are special considerations that adults and seniors should keep in mind when it comes to maintaining oral health,” said Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “We’re proud to be partnering with OHA to educate Americans about this issue.”

Among the topics to be addressed by the campaign are the link between oral and overall health, common issues faced by denture-wearers, and how some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can impact oral health. The joint educational initiative will include online resources and media components, as well as discounted services at Aspen Dental practices.

About Aspen Dental

One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care.

Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network currently has more than 250 locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental doctors recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com. To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.

Fall for Smiles is a public messaging campaign conducted in collaboration with Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance. The campaign begins in September 2010 to promote messages to consumers about the importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health.

During the campaign, OHA will announce the results of a public opinion survey on consumers’ beliefs about oral health. Sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Plackers dental flossers, the survey of more than 1,000 adults and more than 1,000 children asked questions about oral care habits and perceptions.

Prior OHA surveys have shown that adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria play in tooth decay, and that time spent brushing teeth tends to diminish at nighttime and on weekends. This suggests that routines play a role in optimum oral care habits.

“The Fall for Smiles campaign is intended to bring the oral health community together to promote common messaging about what Americans can do to keep their mouths healthy,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO, Oral Health America.

“We are excited about the strong interest we have from the public and private sectors in a messaging campaign in the third quarter that reminds consumers about the importance of oral care routines as families are heading back to school and back to work.”

Fall for Smiles will include outreach to dental care providers through a participation booklet and kit created by Patterson Dental. The campaign will also dedicate a week to oral health issues faced by mature adults and older Americans, an initiative being sponsored by Aspen Dental. A “Tobacco Free Week” will focus on the oral health risks of tobacco use.

“Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait shares a common purpose with OHA’s Fall for Smiles campaign—to increase dental patient awareness,” said Gary Price, CEO, Dental Trade Alliance. “Our members are encouraged by the collaborative nature of this effort, and the multiple opportunities for outreach to patient populations and opinion leaders throughout the country.”

For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.

To read more about Oral Health America, go to Oral Health America.

Youth education is particularly important because prevention and early detection are keys in fighting the battle against oral cancer. Certain risk factors such as family history and alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to the development of oral cancer, but nearly 25 percent of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.

Tragically, this type of cancer is too often discovered late in development or when it has metastasized to another location. This doesn’t have to happen.

Oral cancer exams are part of routine dental exams. Advanced screening technologies detect oral cancer at its earliest stages. Prevention and early detection are keys in fighting the battle against oral cancer.

In addition to visiting your dentist twice a year for exams and cleaning, you can help minimize your risk for oral cancer through proper diet, use of sunscreen on lips, reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, and avoiding high risk sexual behaviors.

Again, familiarize yourself with the risk factors and visit your dentist regularly for oral cancer screenings to help prevent this deadly disease. And be sure to talk with your children about the risks of using tobacco products.

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Dr. Arwinder Judge is vice president of clincal support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc

Click here to read the original in The Express

Aspen Dental is partnering with Oral Health America (OHA) in support of OHA’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP), an oral health education and oral cancer prevention program, at the Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS), August 21-August 30, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The NSTEP program focuses on educating young athletes and parents about the importance of good oral health, the dangers of tobacco use and the prevention of oral cancer.

“When detected early, oral cancer is treatable,” says Dr. Arwinder Judge, Vice President, Clinical Support, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI). “That’s why it’s so important to educate people starting at an early age about the dangers of tobacco use and the need for good oral health. It’s essential that young people are made aware of what they can do to prevent oral cancer, and ways that they can get into good oral health habits.

“As the nation’s premier branded dental group practice, Aspen Dental-affiliated dentists and hygienists are committed to enhancing the oral health literacy of patients so they fully understand the importance of good oral healthcare. That’s why our partnership with Oral Health America is such a natural fit,” continued Judge.

Aspen Dental will be on site during the Little League World Series to distribute patient education materials and offer information about its 200 locations nationwide. In addition, Aspen Dental is offering 20 percent off general dental services and $10 off Vizilite® Plus Oral Cancer Screening to all attendees of the Little League Baseball World Series.

Aspen Dental offers affordable high-quality, full-service dentistry and denture care. Each Aspen Dental office provides a full range of services to patients including general and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening, hygiene and oral surgery, and fixed and removable prosthetic dentistry. Aspen Dental, a leader in denture care, offers eight styles of full and partial dentures from its own ComfiDents® brand dentures.

For more information about Aspen Dental visit the company’s Website at www.aspendent.com.

About Aspen Dental:
Aspen Dental is a leading provider of denture and dental care services committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care. Aspen Dental is the only company authorized to provide eight styles of its hand-crafted, full and partial ComfiDents® brand dentures. Aspen Dental has grown from 13 offices and three states in 1998 to more than 200 locations in 18 states. More than 300 licensed dentists and 200 dental hygienists work with Aspen Dental throughout Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.

In 2008, Aspen Dental recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 260,000 new patients. Aspen Dental meets the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The company works with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com