ADHA representatives to answer questions at public venues

GlaxoSmithKline, makers of Sensodyne®, recently announced a partnership with the American Dental Hygienists' Association to launch "It's Time To Ask Your Dental Professional" campaign. The campaign's purpose is to educate Americans about the importance of good oral care habits through visits to the dental office.

As part of the campaign, the Sensodyne Dental Spa will tour the country to provide dental education in a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Visitors to the Sensodyne Dental Spa will have the opportunity to join in an oral health-care discussion with an ADHA member. In addition, they will leave the spa with tools to help them maintain good oral care, including information about dentinal hypersensitivity, acid wear, when to see a dental professional, and how to ask key questions.

"Almost 50 percent of Americans do not seek regular oral health care, and 25 percent believe they only need to go to a dental professional when they have a problem," said Jay Martorelli, associate brand manager, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. "By providing free consultations and valuable patient education, we, along with the ADHA, aim to make Americans feel more comfortable in visiting the dental office."

The ADHA and GlaxoSmithKline also have a common mission to elevate knowledge and awareness of the profession of hygiene. The "It's Time To Ask Your Dental Professional" program allows the ADHA to demonstrate that good professional oral health care is the result of collaboration among dental hygienists, dentists, and assistants.

The Sensodyne Dental Spa will tour the country for 30 weeks from March through September 2007.

Upcoming scheduled events include:

• Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Dogwood Festival, April 13-15

• Houston, TX, Houston International Festival, April 21�22

• Los Angeles, CA, Fiesta Broadway, April 29

• Denver, CO, Cinco De Mayo "Celebrate Culture," May 5-6

• St. Louis, MO, Saint Louis Galleria, May 18-20

• Cincinnati, OH, Taste of Cincinnati, May 25-27

• Chicago, IL, Bluesfest, June 7-10

• Baltimore, MD, New African American Heritage Festival, June 16-18

• Cleveland, OH, Beachwood Place, June 22-24

• Chicago, IL, Taste of Chicago, June 29-July 8