Don't drop your toothbrush when you hear this.  You may not need to see your dentist more than once a year!  Dr. Niessen looks at this radical, new idea.

STORY: TWICE A YEAR

SCRIPT #511 SHOOT: 5/20/03

AIRDATE: Monday, June 9, 2003

Daybreak and Midday

DHC Master #17 Timecode: 56:28 Do you really need to see a dentist twice

a year?

Don’t drop your toothbrush when you

hear this. You may be okay with just

a yearly check-up.

Dr. Linda Niessen explains this new, some

might say radical idea in today’s segment of Dental Health Check.

sovt: 1:38

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PEOPLE GOING TO THE DENTIST

SUPER: Dallas :02-06 Where does the twice a year idea come

from? Years ago, it came from dental insurance companies who agreed to pay for

two dental check-ups in a 12-month period.

There is no doubt that regular visits help maintain healthy teeth and gums.

But the twice a year recommendation

is one size that does not fit all patients.

SUPER: Dr. T. Bob Davis (“With a small percentage of people, once

Dentist :21-26 a year would be okay with what they are

doing if they don’t change things.”)

TWO-SHOT Dr. T. Bob Davis with the Academy of General Dentistry suggests looking at risk

factors for each patient.

DR. DAVIS (“There are so many risk factors in dentistry

for having dental disease.”)

GRAPHICS Here are some risk factors to consider.

Tobacco, including spit tobacco puts you at

Dental Risk Factors risk for dental disease. So does medication

Tobacco of any kind that causes dry mouth. Or a family history of

Medications causing dry mouth gum disease. Now you can take a genetic

Family history of gum disease test to find out if you have a gene for

Diabetes periodontal disease. Also, if you have

Planning a pregnancy diabetes or if you are planning a pregnancy, dental check-ups are especially important.

Gum disease may contribute to premature birth.

Page 2 Twice a Year

TRISH CLARK (“I would say it’s been about 20 years since

I’ve been.”)

TRISH IN DENTAL CHAIR Trish Clark vows to get twice a year check-ups after a long absence from the dental chair.

SUPER: Trish Clark 1:14-1:19 (“ It’s hard to find money for dentists.

Dental Patient You know you’ll be putting a little money

down. But in the long run, it’s worth it.”)

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP CLOSE)

Dentists are recognizing that every person

should be evaluated individually. For some,

SUPER: Dr. Linda Niessen 1:20-1:25 an annual examination may be enough.

Baylor College of Dentistry For others, regular check-ups and four

cleanings a year may be necessary.

It depends on your risk. For Baylor

College of Dentistry, Texas A & M

System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel

8 News.

For more information:

checkout the

Academy of General Dentistry

website: www.agd.org

For viewer inquiries:

Dr. T. Bob Davis

8499 Greenville Suite 210

Dallas, TX

214-553-8499