American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Partners With text4baby to Provide Pregnant Women and New Moms With Oral Health Messages

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American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Dec 17, 2010, 12:20 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the recognized leader in children's oral health, announced today an outreach partnership with the text4baby program. The AAPD's leading pediatric oral health experts will work closely with text4baby in the dissemination of information to pregnant women and new moms about children's oral health care.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100222/AAPDLOGO)

An educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby delivers health tips via text message to those who need it most. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE in Spanish) receive three free SMS text messages each week timed to their due date or baby's date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including birth defects prevention, immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health and safe sleep. Text4baby messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services and other resources.

"We believe the power of partnership and community can make an incredible difference in women's and children's lives," said Judy Meehan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. "Text4baby brings HMHB's mission to life and with the help of our partners, we believe we can be a strong catalyst for change."

"The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is proud to partner with text4baby on such a mission-critical program," stated AAPD CEO Dr. John S. Rutkauskas. "As the leader in representing the oral health interests of children, our members serve as primary care providers for millions of infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs, and the nature of the text4baby messages are in direct alignment with the vision of AAPD, particularly with our 'Get it Done in Year One' campaign."

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. AAPD's nearly 8,000 members are predominately pediatric dentists and primary care providers who deliver comprehensive specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs. As advocates for children's oral health, the AAPD aims to promote the use of evidence-based policies and guidelines, foster research concerning pediatric oral health, and educate health care providers and the public to improve children's oral health. For further information, please visit the AAPD website at www.aapd.org.

National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) is the only coalition of

its kind which acts as a catalyst for change by creating partnerships among community

groups, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, businesses and government agencies. HMHB promotes optimal health for mothers and babies, and works to strengthen families and build healthy communities.

SOURCE American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry