Four simple daily steps can lead to better overall health

Oct 3 2017

Did you know that four simple steps, performed daily, can lead to better overall health? The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), in partnership with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP), has kicked off National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) with a simple message for all families: "Brush, Floss, Rinse and Chew" every day can make a difference not only to oral health but overall health.

Known as the "Daily 4," this campaign arms dental hygienists with conversation starters and educational materials that encourage patients to brush teeth twice daily, floss daily, rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash daily and chew sugarfree gum for 20 minutes after meals. Daily 4 resources for professionals can be downloaded at https://Adha.org/Daily4.

"Oral health is directly linked to overall health," ADHA President Tammy Filipiak, RDH, MS, said. "By encouraging dental hygienists across the U.S. to have conversations with their patients about the 'Daily 4,' we are helping patients understand that doing these four simple steps every day has a direct and positive impact on their total health! ADHA thanks the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program for their long-standing partnership and for helping us celebrate the hard work that dental hygienists do to give America its brightest smiles!"

As part of NDHM 2017, the ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH) is proud to partner with the Wrigley Company Foundation to offer community service grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to dental hygienists who pursue projects intended to improve their community's oral health and provide oral health education. More than 90,000 people have received oral care through this ongoing partnership, allowing expanded access to oral care for many underserved populations, including pediatric hospitals, senior living centers and public schools serving low-income communities.

Source: http://www.adha.org/resources-docs/NDHM_2017_Press_Release_9-28-2017.pdf