Little Rock - On April 29, 2003, US Surgeon General Richard A. Carmona released the Call to Action to Improve Oral Health during the National Oral Health Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  A partner in formulating the Call to Action is the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors.  Dr. Lynn Douglas Mouden, Director of the Office of Oral Health in the Arkansas Department of Health is the President of that Association.

"Working alongside the Office of the Surgeon General and the other partner network agencies was an exciting experience," said Dr. Mouden.  "Building on the 2001 Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, the Call to Action once again brings oral health to the forefront in health discussions.  While we have the finest dentistry in the world, many in our country, and in Arkansas, do not have access to that care."

A major focus of the Call to Action is increased access to dental care through reducing disease and disability.  Hand in hand with that effort is an increase in public awareness of the importance of oral health.  "We'll never solve the crisis of oral health that some populations suffer," says Dr. Mouden.  "We must focus more efforts on preventing oral disease, something the dental professions have worked at for years."

The first major Arkansas effort since the release of the Call to Action is the upcoming Spit Tobacco Prevention Night at Ray Winder Field on Saturday, May 10^th.  The event is sponsored by the Office of Oral Health, the health department Stamp Out Smoking program, the National Spit Tobacco Education Program, and other members of the Arkansas Oral Health Coalition along with the Arkansas Travelers.  Children who sign a pledge to not use tobacco will be entered in drawings at the Travelers' game.  Cash and other prizes donated by the Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas, the Arkansas State Dental Association, UALR Share America, and the Arkansas State Dental Hygienists Association, will be given out throughout the evening event.

Attendees at the game will also be given free T-shirts that proclaim the slogan of the Office of Oral Health prevention program:  "Spit Tobacco:  Chew, Dip and Die" while supplies last.

-###-