CHICAGO, September 30 – Whether by choice, by culture or by need, grandfamilies are more commonplace with one-in-ten children residing fulltime in their grandparents’ homes. Grandfamilies face unique challenges, including those related to oral health as demonstrated by Oral Health America’s 2016 Public Opinion Poll conducted by Wakefield Research. This Poll showed that 70% of grandparents believed it was harder for them to keep up with information surrounding children’s oral health than it was for younger parents.

That’s why OHA engages all Americans about the importance of good oral health as part of its annual public awareness campaign, Fall for Smiles.

Oral Health America’s Fall for Smiles campaign, which focuses on the oral health of families encourages everyone to spread the word about the positive effects of daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, eating a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco products. This year’s campaign highlights “grandfamilies” or kinship care to address the oral health issues that impact young and older generations.

Sunstar Americas, Inc. and Whip Mix Corporation support Fall for Smiles by spotlighting the different ways dental professionals have participated in the campaign in previous years with Fall for Smiles: Stories.

Fall for Smiles is generously sponsored by 3M; Trident; Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of Dental Trade Alliance; Patterson Dental; Hu-Friedy; Midmark Corporation; SciCan, Inc.; Septodont USA; Sunstar Americas, Inc.; Whip Mix Corporation; the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention; National Dental Association; and Crosstex Dentapure.

Learn more about Fall for Smiles at oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.