Chicago (Oct. 1, 2014) — Collaborating for the fifth consecutive year during October for National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM), the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the makers of Orbit® sugar-free gum, are again showcasing their commitment to educate the public on the importance of developing a daily oral health regimen of “Brush, Floss, Rinse, Chew,” and how such a program can help not only improve individuals’ oral health, but their overall health as well.
“Dental hygienists work daily with people of all ages, educating the public on the importance of developing strong oral health habits such as twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, the daily use of an anti-microbial mouthwash, and chewing sugar-free gum after meals,” said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH. “A healthy mouth is an important part of disease prevention, both for oral health and overall health, and the ADHA is proud to partner with Wrigley to help educate and share this important knowledge with people nationwide. The ADHA thanks Wrigley for their continued commitment to optimum oral health, and reminds hygienists and patients to be mindful of ‘Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew.’ when it comes to oral hygiene.”
“Chewing sugar-free gum like Orbit after eating or drinking helps you get a just brushed clean feeling, which gives you the confidence to do your best when it matters most,” said John Starkey, vice president of gum and mints, Wrigley North America. “Wrigley is proud to work with ADHA as a partner to promote a good oral health routine, including chewing sugar-free gum when on-the-go.”
This year’s Dental Hygiene Month will feature a national radio media tour on Oct. 2, 2014, centering on the importance of proper dental hygiene and the benefits that developing a strong oral health regimen can have in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks will be on air that morning with more than 20 radio stations in major markets that include New York, Chicago, Seattle, Charlotte and Philadelphia, offering tips and information that individuals can use in their daily lives and discuss with their dental hygienist during their next check up or appointment.
In addition, the Wrigley Company Foundation, in partnership with the ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH), will offer community service grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to dental hygienists who are pursuing projects intended to improve their community’s oral health.
The ADHA is also encouraging dental hygienists, as well as the public, to share their oral health care experiences, outreach efforts and thoughts via social media. Share your photos and stories with the ADHA on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/youradha), Instagram (https://instagram.com/youradha) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/ADHADOTORG). Dental hygienists can find valuable resources to share with patients on the NDHM webpage, https://www.adha.org/national-dental-hygiene-month, including fact sheets in both English and Spanish, as well as research and data on the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum after meals to help prevent cavities and other oral health problems.
