Academy Of General Dentistry Focuses On Tooth Erosion

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 10 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is pleased to announce a continuing dental education-based strategic sponsorship made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare. This year-long sponsorship will focus on developing and producing high-quality educational opportunities and materials for general dentists on the subjects of tooth wear and acid erosion. In addition, programs will be developed that are aimed at increasing the understanding and management of oral health and the expectations of aging patients.

A recent survey of AGD members revealed that dentists think tooth erosion is more common today compared to five years ago and many respondents stated that consuming soft drinks, as well as other foods with a low pH value (such as fruit juices, pickles, fresh fruit and yogurt), contribute to tooth erosion. Tooth erosion is the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape while protecting it from decay.

"At GSK Consumer Healthcare, we are committed to working with the AGD to increase awareness and knowledge of these issues to ensure that information important to general dentists will be shared with a larger dental audience and a wider patient population," says Ronald L. Rupp, DMD, GSK Consumer Healthcare senior manager, professional relations. "As a leader in continuing dental education and an advocate for lifelong learning, we are pleased to support the AGD in bringing initiatives such as this one to its member dentists."

"GSK Consumer Healthcare, an industry leader in oral care shares the AGD's vision to create program content that will advance the value and excellence of general dentistry," says AGD President, Vincent C. Mayher, Jr., DMD, MAGD. "Many of our members go above and beyond basic licensure requirements in their state to keep their practice on the cutting edge, and we know this initiative will help us provide our members with even more access to new CDE options."

As part of this effort, the AGD featured an educational track related to these oral health issues during AGD2007SanDiego, the AGD's Annual Meeting & Exhibits, which took place June 27 - July 1, 2007. The courses were open and free of charge to registered meeting attendees. Dr. David Bartlett presented a program which provided attendees with an objective overview that increased their knowledge and awareness of acid erosion and its etiology, diagnosis and clinical management. In addition, Dr. Gregory Folse's program updated attendees about denture care and offered guidance on how to improve the quality of life issues faced by older patients.

About GSK

GSK - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer (http://www.gsk.com).

About GSK Consumer Healthcare

GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products Nicorette®, NicoDerm®CQ®, and Commit®,as well as many medicine cabinet staples, such as Aquafresh®, Sensodyne®, Tums®, and BreathRight®, which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies (http://www.dentalprofessional.com; http://www.us.gsk.com).

The AGD is a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the world's second largest dental association, which is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. More than 772,000 persons are employed directly in the field of general dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs. Learn more about AGD member dentists or find more information on dental health topics at http://www.agd.org/public/.

Academy of General Dentistry

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