Communications to Promote Oral Disease Prevention

Effective state oral health programs implement specific communication strategies to increase awareness of the importance of oral health to overall health and wellness and to promote evidence-based interventions that prevent oral disease. These activities could include the following:

• Assessment of perceptions of oral health issues using key informants and opinion leaders.
• Communicating with change agents who are capable of affecting policy and systems changes.
• Broadening the range of stakeholders who are engaged in policy assessment and education.
• Combining data and stories to create compelling arguments for the advancement of oral health.
• Developing comprehensive risk communication strategies for oral health issues.
• Using health economics and business concepts and language to describe the value of oral health programs.

Additional Resources

CDC Tips from Former Smokers:

• Smoking, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss
• Dental Professionals: Help Your Patients Quit

The Guide to Community Preventive Services’ Improving Oral Health: Preventing Dental Caries (Cavities)