CHICAGO, October 3 –Whether by choice, by culture or by need, grandfamilies are more commonplace with one-in-ten children residing fulltime in their grandparents’ homes. Grandfamilies face unique challenges, including those related to oral health as demonstrated by Oral Health America’s 2016 Public Opinion Poll conducted by Wakefield Research which revealed 57% of grandparents reported having put off their own dental care to accommodate the cost of their child’s dental care needs.

Oral Health America’s Fall for Smiles campaign focuses on the oral health of families,  and encourages everyone to spread the word about the positive effects of daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, eating a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco products. This year’s campaign highlights “grandfamilies” or kinship care to address the oral health issues that impact young and older generations.

Oral Health America is grateful for the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention; the National Dental Association; and Crosstex Dentapure, all of which support Fall for Smiles as partners. The Fall for Smiles campaign includes free and interactive resources such as a quiz, brushing chart, coloring sheet and health tips for the whole family.

Fall for Smiles is generously sponsored by 3M; Trident; Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of Dental Trade Alliance; Patterson Dental; Hu-Friedy; Midmark Corporation; SciCan, Inc.; Septodont USA; Sunstar Americas, Inc.; Whip Mix Corporation; the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention; National Dental Association; and Crosstex Dentapure.

Learn more about Fall for Smiles at oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.