Hispanic Oral Health Takes Center Stage at Capitol Hill Event

Today, the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and Oral Health America

(OHA), together with Crest and Oral-B, are convening a day of advocacy

on Capitol Hill to address the urgent need for oral health education and

prevention among the U.S. Hispanic population and other vulnerable

minority groups, which lag behind the general population when it comes

to basic oral health. The event is part of the third annual Fall for

Smiles^® campaign, which is led by OHA, reminding policymakers

and the public about the importance of oral health, among other health

priorities.

According to a survey titled “Hispanics Open Up About Oral Health Care,”

which was led by the HDA Foundation and sponsored by Crest and Oral-B,

two thirds (67%) of Hispanics rated their overall oral health as

excellent or good; however, almost the same percentage (65%) experienced

at least one oral health issue in the past year.¹ The survey

also found that Hispanics have misperceptions and knowledge gaps when it

comes to basic oral health. For instance, almost one-third of Hispanics

(30%) are either unsure or believe that cavities will go away on their

own if you brush regularly, which is actually false.¹

“These statistics underscore that there is a true need for oral health

education and prevention among the Hispanic population,” said Lilia

Larin, D.D.S, President, HDA. “Today, we call on the policy leaders in

Washington to help us educate the Hispanic community on the long-term

benefits of oral health care and to overcome these well-documented

misperceptions. We need to raise this serious oral health care issue to

the national level.”

Together, the HDA, OHA, Crest and Oral-B are committed to educating the

community about the importance of oral care and to help the U.S.

Hispanic population overcome barriers they face when it comes to

achieving optimal oral health.

“We are proud to partner with the HDA, Crest and Oral-B on this

initiative, and we share their commitment to the U.S. Hispanic

population, especially when it comes to their oral health,” said Beth

Truett, President and CEO, Oral Health America. “It is our goal to help

create oral health equity and end oral health disparities for all

Americans, particularly those that are most vulnerable.”

To learn more about the survey findings, please visit www.hdassoc.org

and www.crestcomplete.com/study.

To learn more about Fall for Smiles, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.

About the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)
The

Hispanic Dental Association is a national, non-profit organization

comprised of oral health professionals and students dedicated to

promoting and improving the oral health of the Hispanic community and

providing advocacy for Hispanic oral health professionals across the

U.S. The Association works with a wide spectrum of individuals and

organizations to communicate to Hispanic and non-Hispanic dental

professionals, students and the public.

About Oral Health America (OHA)
OHA

is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives by

connecting communities with resources to increase access to care,

education and advocacy for all Americans, especially those most

vulnerable. More information about Fall for Smiles: www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.

About Crest
A trusted leader in

oral health, Crest was the first oral care brand to secure the American

Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for a clinically proven

fluoride toothpaste. Since first introducing fluoride toothpaste 54

years ago, it is estimated that Crest has helped prevent more than half

a billion cavities in the U.S. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Crest is

owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble.

About Oral-B
Oral-B is the

worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market. Part of Procter

& Gamble, the brand includes manual and power toothbrushes for children

and adults, oral irrigators and interdental products, such as dental

floss. Oral-B toothbrushes are used by more dentists in the world than

any other brand.

“Hispanics Open Up About Oral Health Care”

Survey Methodology
GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate

Communications conducted the survey from July 28 – August 24, 2011. GfK

Roper surveyed 1,000 Hispanic adults and 1,000 adults from the general

population aged 18 and older who live in the continental U.S. Survey

results were balanced to ensure that the age, gender, education and

region of the participants reflected the Hispanic population and overall

population in the U.S. Results of any sample are subject to sampling

variation. The chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary

by more than plus or minus three percentage points from the result if

interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe

represented by the sample. In other words, the margin of error is +/-3

percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

References:

1. GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, Hispanic Dental

Association Foundation, Crest and Oral-B. “Hispanics Open Up About Oral

Health Care.” 2011.

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