“Floss at the Fair” Promotion Comes to NYS Fair August 30 and 31

SYRACUSE, NY (08/27/2007)(readMedia)-- Visitors to the New York State Fair in Syracuse savoring local sweet corn or indulging in sugary, crunchy or sticky carnival cuisine that can wreak havoc with teeth will get some relief on Thursday and Friday, August 30 and 31, when the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and Eastman Dental Center SMILEmobile dental vans wheel in to the fairgrounds to offer screenings, oral care education and products, including free floss.

“This is the first time there have been dental vans at the New York State Fair, and this offers us a tremendous opportunity to expand our outreach efforts and share information pertaining to oral health and its connection to overall body health,” said Dr. Steven Gounardes, president of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA).

NYSDA and the New York State Dental Foundation were instrumental in securing the vans on site at the Fair. Oral care products for the event are being made available through the generous corporate support of Henry Schein, Inc.

The Colgate van will be at the fair for two days, August 30 and 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and will offer free dental screenings to children under age 12. Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program reaches millions of underserved children. Its mobile dental vans, staffed by volunteer dentists, visit local communities throughout the U.S. in urban and rural areas.

A dental office on wheels, the Eastman Dental Center SMILEmobile will be at the fair on Friday, August 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastman’s dental van brings oral health services year round to children who would otherwise not have access to dental care.

Member dentists of the New York State Dental Association will conduct oral cancer screenings for adults at the vans.

“Oral cancer screenings are quick, painless and can save lives, and our goal is to increase public awareness about the prevention and early detection of oral cancer” said Dr. Gounardes, noting that a recent screening conducted by NYSDA found several individuals with suspicious lesions who were referred for follow up treatment.

Fair-goers can pick up free “Floss at the Fair” coupons at the Fifth District Dental Society exhibit located in the Hall of Health, within the Science and Industry building, or at the dental vans which will be located behind the John Deere Horticultural Building.

The New York State Dental Association is a constituent of the American Dental Association and represents more than 13,000 dentists practicing in New York State.

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