| President and CEO of the American
Legacy Foundation to Deliver Keynote Address at the American Dental
Hygienists’ Association’s Annual Session
Chicago–June 16, 2004–The
American Dental Hygienists’ Association today announced that
Dr. Cheryl G. Healton, president and CEO of the American Legacy
Foundation, will be the keynote speaker for the opening ceremonies
at its 81st annual session in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, June 26
at 8 a.m. The entire annual session will be held June 23-30 at the
Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Healton
to address our membership and honored guests at this year’s
annual session,” said Tammi O. Byrd, RDH, ADHA President.
“Dr. Healton and the American Legacy Foundation’s efforts
to educate the public about the harmful effects of tobacco complement
ADHA’s initiatives to increase dental hygienist involvement
in tobacco cessation with patients. Further, the affiliation of
our organizations can help demonstrate how dental hygiene can affect
public health policy to increase access to oral health care.”
Smoking is the most preventable cause of
death in the U.S. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) estimates that cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol,
car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined.
Oral cancer, which is typically caused by long-term use of tobacco
products and alcohol, is more common that leukemia; skin melanoma;
Hodgkin’s disease; and cancers of the brain, liver, bone,
thyroid gland, stomach, ovaries and cervix.
A researcher, professor and public health
administrator with more than 20 years experience, Dr. Healton has
served as the first president and chief executive officer of the
American Legacy Foundation since December 1999. Her understanding
of tobacco control issues developed through her experience leading
grant-funded projects for the CDC, such as studying the effects
of marketing and counter-marketing on youth tobacco use.
ADHA’s annual session is expected to
draw approximately 1,000 registered dental hygienists from across
the country to participate in continuing education and professional
growth opportunities. The meeting also offers members a chance to
network with colleagues and learn how the dental hygiene profession
impacts national, state and local public health.
About ADHA
ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional
interests of the more than 120,000 dental hygienists across the
country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals,
licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and
therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion
of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental
hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit
http://www.adha.org.
About the American Legacy Foundation
The American Legacy Foundation is dedicated to building a world
where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in
Washington, DC, the foundation develops programs that address the
health effects of tobacco use through grants, technical assistance
and training, youth activism, strategic partnerships, counter-marketing
and grass roots marketing campaigns, public relations and outreach
to populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco.
The foundation’s national programs include Circle of Friends™,
Great Start, a Priority Populations Initiative, Streetheory and
truth®. The foundation was created as a result of the November
1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys
general from 46 states and the tobacco industry. Visit www.americanlegacy.org.
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