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Creative dental ads & PSAs that catch your attention

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Awareness is the first step to prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of how their everyday habits are perpetuating critical dental conditions. As dental students, we should strive to bring awareness to combat diseases such as oral cancer, periodontal disease and tooth loss. Recently there has been a push to inform the public by way of commercials or advertisement campaigns. Take a look below at three dental-related commercials that stress the importance of dental health. Many of our patients only come to us when the problem is fully developed. These service announcements will hopefully greatly impact how people approach their dental health.

#1: The Real Cost Commercial: Your Teeth
This commercial was put forth by the US Food and Drug Administration. The video is clearly illustrating the dangers smoking on the oral cavity. Although gruesome and haunting, it delivers the information appropriately and in a concise manner. Smoking is a serious health concern for many reasons, which we are all familiar with, but many forget to think of their teeth. It is funny that “an unattractive smile” is ranked on the list of top 10 reasons people visit a dentist, yet that same person may be engaging in a behavior such as smoking that perpetuates that very complaint.

#2: Colgate Floss Campaign
This ad campaign by Colgate makes a strong argument for how teeth play into esthetics. Teeth are an integral part of our appearance and can really impact self-esteem. What is striking about this campaign is the fact that the teeth are more notable than any of the other physical abnormalities in the photos. Having beautiful teeth is a sign of health and confidence. Oftentimes most people will brush their teeth but avoid flossing. A 2008 survey found that only 49% of Americans floss daily and 10% never floss. The alarming notion is that as dental students we recognize that flossing is even more important than brushing when it comes to preventing periodontal disease and tooth loss.

#3: Butterfinger Commercial
The final commercial is cute and memorable but also extremely effective. While the clip is not focused on dental treatment at all it still silently shows an image that will resonate with you. While having an attractive smile ranks in the top ten, function still remains as the top concern for our dental patients. As shown by this ad, without teeth even the simplest things become a task. Therefore it reinforces the importance of taking care of our teeth to preserve our quality of life. For elderly patients that come in in need of prosthodontic services we need to continue to remind them how important it is take care of their dentures.

Overall, more and more companies are starting to bring awareness to oral health. These clever commercials stressed the impacts of our behaviors. The more we continue to educate our patients and the public on the value of oral health the greater impact we will have on preventative health. The next time you have someone give you an excuse for not flossing, take the time and show them a couple of these examples. An image or a clip is a powerful real reminder to not ignore our oral cavity.

Have you seen other dental-related commercials or advertisements that caught your attention? Share them with us in the comments below!

~Sadaf Moghimi, Roseman ’16, 2013 Chicago administrative extern

Sadaf Moghimi

Sadaf is a dental student at Roseman University of Health Sciences. She was also one of two 2013 Chicago administrative externs at ASDA's central office in Chicago. Sadaf currently serves as her chapter secretary.

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1 Comment

  1. I bet Colgate Floss Campaign was the most effective one. 🙂

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