In a United Effort to Stop Cavities and Fight for a Healthier Future, Community Groups Across North America Announce Activities as Part of Third Annual World Cavity-Free Future Day

Global campaign continues to make progress by engaging communities, sharing advice on the most effective ways to beat cavities and improve overall oral health

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking ahead to October 14, 2018, the third annual World Cavity-Free Future Day (WCFFD), the Canada-U.S. Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) is announcing several events to address the need for greater global awareness of dental caries.

Dental caries, when left unaddressed in its early stages, can lead to dental cavities. Worldwide, 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have dental caries.¹ In the United States, statistics show 18.6% of children and 31.6% of adults have untreated dental caries² and most don't know that early stages of dental caries can be prevented and controlled.

Cavities are preventable – by following three simple steps, everyone can work towards a cavity-free future:

1.       Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.

2.       Reduce the amount of sugar you consume, and the frequency at which you consume it.

3.       Make sure you schedule (and attend) regular check-ups with your dental team.

"In light of the high prevalence of dental decay in North America, World Cavity-Free Future Day reminds us that bringing together the experiences of dental and other health professionals as well as patients is the key to building a successful model for caries prevention," said Margherita Fontana, DDS, PhD, Professor, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and Co-Chair, Canada-U.S. Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future.

To raise awareness, several programs will be taking place from October 8 – 14 including visits from the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® van. For more details, contact them via www.colgatebsbf.com.

"Creating a cavity-free future will require a widespread shift in behavior that is only possible through cooperation and action," said Robert Schroth, Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive Dental Science (Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry) and the Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Max Rady College of Medicine), University of Manitoba, and Co-Chair, Canada-U.S. Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future. "Now, more than ever, improving access to dental care for families and promoting early first dental visits for infants is of utmost importance as we renew our commitment to fighting cavities while working towards our goal of a cavity-free future."

More information and resources on cavity prevention can be found here: www.acffglobal.org, www.allianceforacavityfreefuture.org and www.worldcavityfreefutureday.com.

About The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future: 

The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (www.ACFFGlobal.org/www.AllianceforaCavityFreeFuture.org) is a global not-for-profit organisation which seeks to promote integrated clinical and public health action to confront the disease burden of caries, fight caries initiation and progression, and, along with a global community of supporters, progress towards a Cavity-Free Future for all age groups. The ACFF was established in collaboration with a worldwide panel of experts in dentistry and public health who share a fervent belief in joining together across professional, geographic, and stakeholder lines, to create a unified global movement dutifully committed to combating caries in communities around the world. The ACFF is supported by Colgate-Palmolive Company, which supports improved oral health through its partnership with the dental professional and government and public health agencies.

About Colgate-Palmolive:

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Emex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet, Hill's Prescription Diet and Hill's Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate's global business, visit the Company's web site at http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.

Media Contact: 
Rebecca Farrell 
Burson-Marsteller Public Relations 
[email protected] / +1-917-715-7840

References

1. World Health Organization. Oral Health fact sheet. Available at: http://www.who.int/oral_health/publications/factsheet/en/. Accessed August 14, 2018.

2. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Health, United States, 2016 Table 60 Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus16.pdf#060. Accessed August 14, 2018.

SOURCE ACFF Canada-U.S. Chapter