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It seems like several of my recent blog posts have focused on raising awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene and the link between oral health and overall wellness. I try to focus on the latest news in the dentistry world, which means that a lot of people are talking about this hot topic. Recent research has found that the general knowledge of Americans in terms of oral health is extremely poor (Poor Oral Health Knowledge Leads to New ADA Website), causing many industry experts to call for more education about the importance of good dental care. Children are being targeted specifically, due to the abnormally high rates of premature tooth decay found in recent years, and according to the ADA News article, “ ‘Teach Me How to Brushy’ goes viral,” one such effort is really catching on.
The Oregon Dental Association has created the new public service announcement, “Teach Me How to Brushy,” as a fun way to educate kids about the importance of brushing their teeth. It’s a little under a minute and a half of catchy, hip hop inspired lyrics, set to the tune of “Teach Me How to Dougie,” a Cali Swag District hit that made it big in 2010. Thanks to special cameos from legendary Oregonians, such as Jerome Kersey, formerly a Portland Trail Blazer, the YouTube video accumulated more than 400,000 hits in its first week. Dr. Greg Jones, ODA President, was shocked by the popularity of the video, which was partially funded by the ADA State Public Affairs Program. It has been shared on several national media sources, including “Good Morning America,” the “Today Show,” the Huffington Post and on the home page of the ADA website, MouthHeatlhy.org.
The sole purpose of the video is to get kids excited about good dental habits, according to Dr. Jill Price, ODA president-elect. Simply telling kids that it’s important doesn’t typically work, but hopefully creating a fun, catchy, and cool music video will. Check out the video and post pictures of you and your kids “doing the brushy” on the ODA’s Facebook page.
