It is critically important to start the discussion about cavity prevention early, including regular dental visits by age one. Research has shown that, when aware of good oral health practices, the majority of new mothers will change their behaviors. In fact:

• 91% stopped sharing utensils and other items
• 86% brushed and flossed more regularly
• 77% stopped putting sweet liquids in the baby bottle
• 67% saw a dentist and talked to others about the importance of dental health
• 49% took their infant to a dentist

By increasing awareness of these simple behavior changes, your practice can empower new and expecting parents to prevent dental disease. Our campaign’s bilingual education materials are available free of charge to help you share this important information with your patients.

These materials are supported throughout metro Denver by a bilingual advertising campaign during January and February. To date, hundreds of our partners have requested over 500,000 cards for their patients. Make sure your practice is part of this important effort!

WALL STREET JOURNAL | HEALTH JOURNAL
By MELINDA BECK

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the mouth provides an even better view of the body as a whole.

Some of the earliest signs of diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, immune disorders, hormone imbalances and drug issues show up in the gums, teeth and tongue—sometimes long before a patient knows anything is wrong.

There’s also growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient’s general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.

“We have lots of data showing a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body,” says Anthony Iacopino, director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health, which opened at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry in Canada in 2008. Recent studies also show that treating gum disease improves circulation, reduces inflammation and can even reduce the need for insulin in people with diabetes.

Such findings are fueling a push for dentists to play a greater role in patients’ overall health. Some 20 million Americans—including 6% of children and 9% of adults—saw a dentist but not a doctor in 2008, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health this month.

Read the complete Wall Street Journal article (December 27, 2011)

WALL STREET JOURNAL | HEALTH JOURNAL
By MELINDA BECK

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the mouth provides an even better view of the body as a whole.

Some of the earliest signs of diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, immune disorders, hormone imbalances and drug issues show up in the gums, teeth and tongue—sometimes long before a patient knows anything is wrong.

There’s also growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient’s general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.

“We have lots of data showing a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body,” says Anthony Iacopino, director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health, which opened at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry in Canada in 2008. Recent studies also show that treating gum disease improves circulation, reduces inflammation and can even reduce the need for insulin in people with diabetes.

Such findings are fueling a push for dentists to play a greater role in patients’ overall health. Some 20 million Americans—including 6% of children and 9% of adults—saw a dentist but not a doctor in 2008, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health this month.

Read the complete Wall Street Journal article (December 27, 2011)

The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) in Washington DC recently selected Healthy Teeth Happy Babies for its Best Practices Program. As an Emerging Practice in the field of infant and prenatal oral health, reviewers felt the public education campaign has “great potential and could be used in any geographic area where dental disease is a problem.”

Inclusion in the AMCHP Best Practices Program is a result of peer review by leading public health experts. This designation affirms that the campaign has been effective in its goal of helping to prevent oral disease and reduce the barriers to dental care for pregnant women and children in Colorado.

We are honored to be recognized as a model bilingual community-based social marketing campaign with great potential.
…
AMCHP is a national resource, partner and advocate for state public health leaders and others working to improve the health of women, children, youth and families, including those with special health care needs.
…

Throughout October, the event was promoted by DJ Issa Lopez on radio broadcasts, websites and using social media. Great prizes helped to motivate families and included movie tickets, coupons for free Chick-fil-A, DVDs and other giveaways from the radio station. The grand prize was a Nintendo 3DS game system.

Families brought in bags of Halloween candy ranging from three to 13lbs. As candy was weighed and exchanged, participants received oral health info and tips from Delta Dental of Colorado representatives. All of the exchanged Halloween candy was sent to troops overseas through Operation Gratitude.

The candy exchange was a great opportunity to interact directly with parents and children. Through these types of community events, we are able to make real progress toward eradicating dental disease in Colorado’s children.

Throughout October, the event was promoted by DJ Issa Lopez on radio broadcasts, websites and using social media. Great prizes helped to motivate families and included movie tickets, coupons for free Chick-fil-A, DVDs and other giveaways from the radio station. The grand prize was a Nintendo 3DS game system.

Families brought in bags of Halloween candy ranging from three to 13lbs. As candy was weighed and exchanged, participants received oral health info and tips from Delta Dental of Colorado representatives. All of the exchanged Halloween candy was sent to troops overseas through Operation Gratitude.

The candy exchange was a great opportunity to interact directly with parents and children. Through these types of community events, we are able to make real progress toward eradicating dental disease in Colorado’s children.

Now that Halloween is over, exchange your candy for free Chick-fil-A® and chances to win fabulous prizes from 95.7 The Party and the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.

Issa Lopez will be broadcasting on 95.7 from the event and trading great prizes for Halloween candy. Take charge of your family’s dental health and prevent cavities – the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S.!

How it works
The child that brings in the most candy will win the grand prize Nintendo 3DS with two games! Everyone that exchanges one pound of candy or more will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A® Nuggets or Chicken Biscuit and will be entered to win other great prizes.

When and where
Saturday, November 5
9a.m. – 11 a.m.
Chick-fil-A® (104th Ave & Federal Blvd)
10280 Federal Blvd
Federal Heights, CO 80260

What happens to all that candy?
The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation will donate all of the candy from this event to U.S. military troops stationed abroad through Operation Gratitude.

Thank you for your support and we hope to see you this Saturday. Don’t forget these simple steps for preventing cavities and a lifetime of happy, healthy Halloweens!

Now that Halloween is over, exchange your candy for free Chick-fil-A® and chances to win fabulous prizes from 95.7 The Party and the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.

Issa Lopez will be broadcasting on 95.7 from the event and trading great prizes for Halloween candy. Take charge of your family’s dental health and prevent cavities – the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S.!

How it works
The child that brings in the most candy will win the grand prize Nintendo 3DS with two games! Everyone that exchanges one pound of candy or more will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A® Nuggets or Chicken Biscuit and will be entered to win other great prizes.

When and where
Saturday, November 5
9a.m. – 11 a.m.
Chick-fil-A® (104th Ave & Federal Blvd)
10280 Federal Blvd
Federal Heights, CO 80260

What happens to all that candy?
The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation will donate all of the candy from this event to U.S. military troops stationed abroad through Operation Gratitude.

Thank you for your support and we hope to see you this Saturday. Don’t forget these simple steps for preventing cavities and a lifetime of happy, healthy Halloweens!

A Powerful Oral Health Resource: The Delta Dental of Colorado Fund

The Delta Dental of Colorado Fund is an innovative, new program that provides two years of free dental insurance to qualifying low-income Coloradans of all ages.  The need for oral health resources is especially prevalent in those living at or near the poverty line.  This is why the Fund is reinvesting $3 million into communities hit hardest by the economic downturn.

Eligible recipients now have access to a powerful dental care resource whether they are uninsured, have met their CHP+ maximum limit or are insured by Delta Dental of Colorado but cannot afford the care they need. For many, this will be the first time that everyone in the family can utilize this essential health service.  Learn more about the Delta Dental of Colorado Fund

The Fund is a powerful tool for winning Colorado’s battle for better oral and overall health.  Governor Hickenlooper will join Delta Dental of Colorado on October 7th to commemorate the launch of the Fund.  This program is an affirmation of Delta Dental of Colorado’s mission to improve the oral health of the communities they serve.  A healthy smile can change a life.

Education is Essential

There is no doubt that access to dental care is a vital component of improving Colorado’s oral health, but education is also essential for making dental disease 100% preventable. Even in the best cases, we are in the dentist’s office only 2 days a year.  This means that public education is a critical part of keeping oral health a priority during the other 363 days of the year.

Healthy Teeth Happy Babies has free educational brochures available that are easy to use and send home with your patients. These bilingual materials can be ordered online, by email or calling (303) 825-6100 and we’ll mail them to you at no cost in just a few days.

The Delta Dental of Colorado Fund

Friday, October 7th, 2011
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
2501 East 48th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80216
(Click for directions)

Hosted by
Focus Points Family Resource Center
Learn. Grow. Achieve.

Learn more about the Delta Dental of Colorado Fund. Event is open to the public and free of charge, but seating is limited. If you have not already, please RSVP by October 6th to Info@HealthyTeethHappyBabies.com or by calling Miles Graham at (303) 825-6100.