Hermey the Elf Awarded DDG by American Dental Association President

CHICAGO, Nov. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After 50 years of dreaming about becoming a dentist and promoting good dental health to his friend Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and everyone in the North Pole, Hermey the Elf was today named a DDG—Dental Do Gooder, that is, by the president of the American Dental Association (ADA).

"Hermey's passion for dentistry, coupled with his devotion to helping others feel good about themselves inside and out, deserves recognition," said ADA President Maxine Feinberg, DDS. "I know Hermey the Elf, DDG, will continue to inspire young people and those who are young at heart to follow their dreams."

In honor of Hermey's DDG designation, the ADA's website, MouthHealthy.org, features a fun dental health quiz for families, plus a separate sweepstakes drawing to win a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer prize package. Free downloadable coloring book pages featuring Hermey and good dental health tips also appear on the ADA's MouthHealthyKids.org.

The animated classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," tells the tale of how Rudolph and Hermey were initially rejected by their peers for being different, yet they go on to triumph when they show that their differences make them unique and helpful to their community. The program airs Tuesday, December 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.    

The ADA encourages parents with children who have expressed an interest in a career in dentistry, like Hermey, to visit ADA.org. The ADA also recommends these family-friendly tips for good dental health all year long: 

• Take your child to the dentist no later than his or her first birthday.
• Brush teeth two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance and supervise young children as they brush to make sure they spit out the toothpaste. 
  • Use a smear or rice-sized amount of toothpaste for children younger than three years old.
  • Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children three to six years old.
• When a child has two teeth that touch, begin flossing once a day.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drink fluoridated water—a healthy diet is important for dental and overall health.
• Replace toothbrushes every three to four months as frayed bristles can be less effective at cleaning teeth.
• Visit an ADA member dentist as directed. Regular dental visits can help prevent problems or catch them early when they are easier to treat.

Editor's Note: Reporters are invited to follow the ADA on Twitter @AmerDentalAssn

About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 158,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ada.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org. 

About the 50th Anniversary of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Television Special
2014 is the 50th anniversary of the first broadcast of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," the longest running and highest rated holiday special of all time. The anniversary celebration includes a major tie-in with the U.S. Postal Service, the roll-out of the live stage show "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical" into 25 cities, tribute promos from CBS, new products and programs across all retail channels, a collector's edition DVD and Blu-ray with new bonus material, new theme park and in-mall attractions, a Carnegie Hall concert tribute and a social media campaign - #ShineBright - that celebrates uniqueness in association with PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141111/157937

SOURCE American Dental Association

Related Links

http://www.ada.org