Washington—Members of Congress, two of them dentists, joined the Ad Council and The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives Sept. 19 in pitching the first joint national multimedia public campaign for children’s oral health to a Capitol Hill audience.

“On Capitol Hill, I view a smile as an invitation to a solution,” said dentist/Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). “I count smiles on the Hill,” he said, describing the campaign  as “an opportunity to have children smile back.”

“I appreciate your efforts and your commitment to educate parents and children about oral health,” dentist/Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) told an audience of ADA and other partnership representatives at the Capitol Visitor’s Center briefing. “It takes groups like this and campaigns like this to have an impact.”

“Too many parents, unfortunately, lack information,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) told the campaign advocates. “As a result, their children don’t reach their potential in school. I thank the organizations represented here today. This is bigger than you. It’s bigger than us. We must continue to invest in sealants and fluoridation and spread the power of prevention. Quite simply, we are bringing life to life (with this campaign). My involvement in this issue means more to me than anything.”

“The Ad Council campaign is a huge step toward the ADA realizing the dream of education being used as a major component in combating dental disease,” said Dr. William R. Calnon, Association president. “The Association has been able to articulate its vision of education and prevention as the true linchpins for improving oral care in populations in this country. No one group alone can be successful in achieving what collectively the partners involved in this campaign have been able to do.”

Created pro bono by ad agencies Grey Group and Wing in New York, the new Kids’ Healthy Mouths public service campaign is aimed at parents and caregivers throughout the U.S., particularly low income families, and stresses the importance of brushing for two minutes twice a day. For more information visit the campaign website and MouthHealthy at ADA.org.

The English and Spanish-language TV, radio, print, outdoor and digital PSAs poke fun at the inane things children spend time doing and highlight that it takes only two minutes twice a day to brush and help maintain a healthy mouth and prevent future oral pain.

The American Dental Association is one of more than 35 leading dental organizations in The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives. Meet the partners at HealthyMouthsHealthyLives.org.