Despite Bad Economy, Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait

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1-800-DENTIST®, a free resource for consumers in search of a dentist, announced this week to the general public its participation in the “Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait” campaign, which is designed to raise awareness to the general public of the potential risks of postponing dental appointments and neglecting oral health.

“Seeing a dentist regularly is not just a key to preventing dental problems,” said Fred Joyal, CEO and Co-Founder of 1-800-DENTIST®. “Recent studies have also revealed a significant link between dental health and overall heath. The Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait campaign is a unified message from the entire dental industry to go to your dentist every six months, and if you don’t have a dentist, to find one who can help you get back on a path to wellness.”

The Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait campaign, which was developed pro-bono by the leading dental industry advertising agency, Lanmark Group, emphasizes the following risks of postponing a dental visit:

* Tooth decay is a progressive disease. Postponing treatment can lead to more complex, more expensive treatment, such as root canals or extractions.

* Tooth decay is a communicable disease. Your untreated cavities can spread to your loved ones.

* Recent studies have linked undiagnosed and untreated periodontal disease with a negative impact on patients with heart disease, diabetes and other systemic health conditions.

* Chronic bad breath is usually due to conditions that may be easily prevented by regular oral hygiene appointments and consultation.

According to the Chicago Dental Society, more than half of dentists in a recent survey said their patients were putting off dental work and more than 40 percent said that preventive visits were down. And a recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that a little more than half of dentists surveyed in July by the American Dental Association said that un-booked appointment times have increased from the first quarter. But the fact is that postponing dental procedures can lead to serious health risks and can also lead to higher dental costs in the future.