Danica Patrick And Aspen Dental Give Americans A Taste Of Their Future With Hidden Camera Video

Video Uses Attention-Grabbing Humor to Highlight the Importance of Oral Health

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Apr 22, 2015, 09:00 ET

SYRACUSE, N.Y., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the majority of Americans, going to the dentist is no laughing matter – in fact, an estimated 150 million American adults avoided a dental visit altogether last year. The reason? Anxiety about cost, pain and the extent of dental work they may need.

So to raise awareness about the long-term consequences of delaying dental care, Aspen Dental tapped their partner, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, to give Americans "A Taste of the Future" in a humorous new hidden camera video.

"A Taste of the Future" features Danica Patrick behind the grill of a food truck, going undercover to serve up classic food truck fare like fish tacos, burgers and pulled pork sandwiches. But before handing unsuspecting customers their lunch, Danica does something completely unexpected: She drops their food into a blender, serving it up in smoothie form. Customer reactions ran the gamut from confusion to disgust and were captured on hidden cameras for an arresting look at the potential future consequences of avoiding the dentist.

"Delaying dental visits for years is similar to what happens when you don't keep up maintenance on your car and then expect it to perform the way it should. You end up having higher costs to repair damage that could have been prevented with proper, regular maintenance," said Patrick. "I love the approach that Aspen Dental took with this video – it's a fun and creative way to deliver what is actually a really serious health message about the importance of oral health to overall health, and I was proud to be a part of it."

Research shows that for many Americans, dental care has become discretionary, a "nice to do" rather than a "must have." Case in point: a recent survey of more than 1,000 adults conducted by ORC International and commissioned by Aspen Dental Management, Inc. found that nearly two in five American adults (39 percent) say they have limited or will delay dental care due to their financial situation, a number that has increased by nearly eight percent in the past two years. And they're making the decision despite knowing the long-term financial implications -- 80 percent are aware that postponing or delaying routine visits will cost them more money in the long run. The survey also found that nearly one in five consumers would fix problems with their car ahead of addressing pain in their mouth.

"We know that dentistry is a category that's filled with fear and anxiety," said Mark Censoprano, chief marketing officer at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. "This is the first time that we've launched a campaign that relies heavily on digital and social media to get the word out, and we believe that this humorous approach will ignite a conversation and generate buzz about what is an often overlooked healthcare issue – oral health."

The full "A Taste of the Future" video, directed by Hollywood industry veteran Jeff Tremaine, who is widely known for his hidden camera prank television shows like Jackass and feature films such as Bad Grandpa, can be viewed here: www.ATasteoftheFuture.com.

This is the latest effort from Aspen Dental to shine a light on the often overlooked dental health care landscape. Last year, Aspen Dental launched the Healthy Mouth Movement to deliver free dental care and oral health education to people in need across the United States. This year, the Healthy Mouth Movement will provide much needed dental care and oral health education to our nation's veterans, free of charge. As one of the largest networks of dental care providers in the United States, Aspen Dental is stepping in to help raise dental health awareness and to help keep Americans' mouths on track.

For more information, visit www.ATasteoftheFuture.com.

About Aspen Dental Practices
Dentists and staff at Aspen Dental-branded practices believe everyone has the right to quality, affordable oral health care. As one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of independent dental care providers in the U.S., local Aspen Dental practices – nearly 500 of them across 30 states – offer patients a safe, welcoming and judgment-free environment to address their dental challenges. Every Aspen Dental-branded practice offers a full range of dental and denture services – including comprehensive exams, cleanings, extractions, fillings, periodontal treatment, whitening, oral surgery, crown and bridge work – allowing patients to have the peace of mind that they are taken care of and protected, so they can focus on getting the healthy mouth they deserve. In 2014, Aspen Dental-branded practices recorded more than 3.4 million patient visits and welcomed nearly 750,000 new patients.

About Aspen Dental Management Inc.
Aspen Dental Management Inc. (ADMI) is a dental support organization that provides non-clinical business support services to independently owned and operated dental practices in 30 states. This can include services and recommendations related to finding the right location, leasing, IT services, accounting and marketing. This model leaves independent, licensed practitioners free to concentrate on patient care.

To learn more about Aspen Dental-branded practices and services, preview the patient experience, get answers to general treatment questions, find a location, and schedule appointments, visit www.aspendental.com. To learn more about careers at ADMI and Aspen Dental practices, visit http://aspendentaljobs.com.

SOURCE Aspen Dental