10/09/07

Governor Edward G. Rendell today joined the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) and the Alliance of the Pennsylvania Dental Association (APDA) in recognizing October 5 as Senior Smiles Day in Pennsylvania.

“Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to an individual’s overall health and quality of life," said Rendell in his proclamation on Senior Smiles Day. "More than 2 million adults over the age of 65 reside in the commonwealth and many of them do not see a dentist on a regular basis and would benefit from receiving educational materials concerning oral health."

The PDA and the APDA will provide 1,300 Senior Smiles dental kits to senior citizens residing in Pennsylvania. Many of the dental kits are being distributed at two senior expo events, one at the Plymouth Meeting and another at the Butler County Airport.

Rendell noted that the PDA also created the Senior Dental Care Program to offer dental services from member dentists at a reduced cost to adults over 65 who meet income guidelines and do not receive federal, state, or other dental assistance.

"As Governor and on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, I am proud of the Pennsylvania Dental Association and the Alliance of the Pennsylvania Dental Association for expanding oral health education for Pennsylvania older adults and raising awareness in local communities to these oral health needs," Rendell said. "I encourage all Pennsylvania senior citizens to seek out ways to improve their own personal oral hygiene."

For more information, go to www.padental.org.

[Pennsylvania Dental Association, October 5, 2007]