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FREE SERVICE HELPS CONSUMERS FIND DENTISTS
Academy of General Dentistry Encourages Americans to Visit a Dentist Twice a Year
CHICAGO, January 10, 2000 -- Many Americans change the oil in their cars more regularly than they visit a dentist, even though a twice-yearly appointment with a dentist is important for preventing cavities, gum disease, and other health complications related to poor oral health, reports the Academy of General Dentistry, an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.
"In order to maintain good oral health, children and adults should visit a dentist at least twice a year to prevent cavities, gum diseases, and other conditions that have been linked to poor oral health," said J. Nick Russo, DDS, FAGD, president of the Academy of General Dentistry, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. "With the start of a new year and a new century, everyone should resolve to take better care of their health."
To help consumers locate a dentist they would feel comfortable visiting twice a year, the Academy of General Dentistry today is launching a free service to help consumers find a qualified dentist near their home, work, or school.
Consumers can dial 1-877-2X-A-YEAR (or 1-877/292-9327), toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the United States or Canada. When they do, operators will provide them with names, addresses, and phone numbers of up to three general dentists. Callers should be prepared to provide their ZIP code or the name of a city or region.
Through the service, the Academy of General Dentistry hopes to raise public awareness of the importance of visiting a dentist regularly and to make locating a dentist much easier for consumers. Public health surveys show that 31 percent to 57 percent of the population does not visit a dentist even once a year. Researchers also have found that the most common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups are being male, having lower income levels, not having a usual place for dental care, and being anxious about visiting the dentist, according to a recent study of consumers in Detroit.
"The Academy wants to help people find a dentist they feel comfortable visiting twice a year," said Heidi K. Hausauer, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. "We hope that this toll-free service will create awareness about the importance of proper dental care and assist consumers in improving their overall health."
In recent years, researchers have found a connection between gum disease (oral infectious disease that often is called periodontal disease), and coronary vascular disease, which can place people at risk for heart attacks and strokes. In individuals with diabetes, gum disease is associated with poor control of insulin levels. Pregnant women also need to be careful; gum disease can place pregnant women at risk for having low-birthweight babies.
The Academy of General Dentistry is a non-profit international organization and the only organization dedicated solely to the general dentist. Committed to providing quality care and patient education to the public, Academy members are required to take 75 hours of continuing education courses every three years. The Academy's website, http://www.agd.org, gives consumers the opportunity to find answers to their dental questions via the Internet.
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