CHICAGO--Results from the Academy of General Dentistry's national SmileLine reveal that, as the United States population ages, one has more oral health care problems.
This means oral health care advice and information is a larger priority than ever before.
More than 400 consumers across the nation this past summer called 1-800-SMILE-33 to take advantage of talking one-on-one, free of charge with dental experts attending the AGD's 54th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Denver, Colo.
SmileLine results reveal:
*The No. 1 issue among callers was dentures followed by periodontics.
*Middle-aged adults, from 35-54, topped the list of callers, with adults aged 55-64 coming in as the second largest group of callers.
*Most callers learned of the SmileLine via radio and television coverage and print publications.
*Roughly 40 percent of the callers have dental coverage and they called because of a specific dental question or problem.
Advice given during the SmileLine, which is celebrating its 15th national anniversary this year, has helped put more than 15,500 consumers' dental questions and fears to rest, and has strengthened and encouraged the patient's relationship with the dentist.
"Our goal for the SmileLine is to better educate the public and increase consumer awareness of dental health issues," said Julie Barna, DMD, MAGD and Academy of General Dentistry Foundation president.
"By seeking dental information and care on a more preventive and proactive basis, patients will aid their overall health."
Sponsored in part by the AGDF, the SmileLine, dentistry's first national hotline, continues to raise consumer awareness about oral health, new dental technology and the options available to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
The AGD's SmileLine Online section at www.agd.org enables consumers to post dental health questions online and have them answered by an AGD member dentist.
Consumers can get names, addresses and phone numbers of up to three general dentists, by calling 1-877-2XA-YEAR (1-877-292-9327) or by visiting the AGD's Web site.
