As Baseball Season Approaches, Local Dental Center Warns Against Use of Smokeless Tobacco

(March 29, 2017) – As cases of oral cancer continue to rise – nearly 50,000 Americans will be infected this year, with 9,500 dying from the disease, according to American Cancer Society – Great Expressions Dental Centers wants impressionable baseball fans to understand the negative effects of smokeless tobacco as opening day approaches.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015, 11.9 percent of high school boys reported current use of smokeless tobacco products – a rate of nearly twice that of non-athletes. Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals and causes oral, pancreatic and esophageal cancer – as well as other health problems.

“Many past MLB players, including Tony Gwynn and Curt Schilling, are perfect examples of the effects of smokeless tobacco and oral cancer,” said Rich Beckman, CEO of Great Expressions Dental Centers. “No one is safe from the negative effects and we would challenge all cities with Major League Baseball teams to ban smokeless tobacco in an effort to protect not only their players but their devoted fans.”

With many cities and states, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Milwaukee, and Washington D.C. having banned smokeless tobacco in their stadiums, fans watching from home or visiting other MLB stadiums will still be affected as they watch their favorite players use smokeless tobacco – players they look up to.

“Our commitment is not only to our current patients, but those in our community that are at risk of oral cancer,” said Rich Beckman, CEO of Great Expressions Dental Centers. “No matter your age, oral cancer can spread quickly, making early detection essential to increasing one’s survival rate. We encourage everyone to get regular oral cancer screenings.”

To help protect those in their community, GEDC will be making a $2,500 donation to the Oral Cancer Foundation in April. In addition to offering free oral cancer screenings with every dental visit, GEDC employees will raise awareness by participating in local oral cancer awareness walks and wearing red wristbands throughout the month to educate patients.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 888-SMILE-80 or visit greatexpressions.com.

About Great Expressions Dental Centers

For nearly 40 years, Great Expressions Dental Centers has been a leader in preventative dental care, orthodontics and specialty care with offices in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Great Expressions is consistently recognized for contributions to improving oral health through quality and safety initiatives, affordable dental care services, patient convenience, research and more. Great Expressions Dental Centers branded practices are independently-owned and operated in specific states by licensed dentists and their professional entities who employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. ADG, LLC provides administrative and business support services and licenses the Great Expressions Dental Centers brand name to independently-owned and operated dental practices. ADG does not own or operate dental practices, or employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. For more information, please visit www.greatexpressions.com.

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Contact:
Megan McCarl, on behalf of Great Expressions Dental Centers
Lambert, Edwards & Associates