CERRITOS, Calif., Aug. 6, 2015 – INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LASER DENTISTRY (IALD) announces that the U.S. Virgin Islands now stands in solidarity with 49 other states in the effort to combat gum disease, a worldwide epidemic that compromises not only dental health but can have severe effects on the systemic health of millions of people worldwide. The Honorable Governor Kenneth E. Mapp of the U.S. Virgin Islands signed a proclamation officially declaring February as Gum Disease Awareness Month.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is the most common infection in the United States — more widespread than cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Fifty million Americans alone have moderate to severe gum disease. Of this staggering number, 40 million don’t even know they have it. And only 3 percent of those who do know they have the disease seek treatment. Gum disease is easily prevented, yet when left untreated, it can lead to devastating effects well beyond tooth loss, and has been linked to a large number of serious health threats, including heart disease, obesity, lung disease, diabetes, pre-term births and stroke.
More on Gum Disease Awareness Month
Gum Disease Awareness Month is a national campaign aimed at helping people make lifelong improvements to their health and quality of life by spreading awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options available in the fight against gum disease. The initiative is supported by the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD), a non-profit educational and research entity dedicated to providing outcome-based clinical training for the patented LANAP® protocol, a patient-friendly surgical treatment for moderate to advanced periodontal disease, and the LAPIP™ protocol for the treatment of peri-implantitis around ailing and failing dental implants. For more information, visit www.fightgumdisease.com.
To date, however, California has yet to join in this effort to better inform citizens about the risks and prevention of gum disease and to educate for lifelong improvement of health and quality of life.
To learn more about gum disease and treatment options, visit www.fightgumdisease.com or join the movement at www.facebook.com/fightgumdisease and www.twitter.com/fightgumdisease.
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ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LASER DENTISTRY: The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry, lead by CEO and Training Director, Dawn M. Gregg, DDS, is a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in advanced laser dentistry therapies. Formed in 1999 by dentists Robert H. Gregg, II, DDS and Delwin K. McCarthy, DDS, the IALD is both ADA CERP and AGD PACE accredited, and is nationally recognized for its continuing education (CE) programs. With more than 35 certified instructors who train dental professionals in laser dentistry techniques including the LANAP® protocol, the IALD aims to reach more underserved patients with gum disease who have avoided therapy out of fear. To that end, the organization provides free treatment to qualified patients who can benefit from the no-cut, no-sew, no-fear LANAP® protocol—providing about $750,000 in free dental services each year. The IALD’s ultimate goal is for the percentage of patients seeking treatment for periodontitis to reach the percentage of patients seeking general dental care. For more information, please visit theiald.com.
Media Contacts:
Leslie Licano, Beyond Fifteen Communications, Inc.
949-733-8679, leslie@beyondfifteen.com