The American Dental Association (ADA) announced earlier this week the launch of its new "Smile Healthy," certification program aimed at helping consumers identify which foods and beverages are good for oral health.
The ADA's Smile Healthy logo, signifying a "smart choice for oral health," will first appear on one-gallon containers of fluoridated bottled water. The ADA anticipates future Smile Healthy product categories could include sugar-free foods, beverages and dairy products.
The ADA has long supported the addition of fluoride in optimal amounts to water to help prevent tooth decay and hopes consumers will look for the Smile Healthy logo when purchasing bottled water.
According to ADA President Mark J. Feldman, D.M.D., "Some people may not live in areas where their drinking water is fluoridated or perhaps they prefer the taste or convenience of bottled water. Now when you see the Smile Healthy logo on bottled water, you know you're doing something good for your oral health."
The first company to be granted a license to use the Smile Healthy logo on one of its products is Water Source One, a large national bottled water manufacturer with 15 production facilities across the United States. Bottled water with the Smile Healthy logo is expected to start appearing on store shelves in spring 2008 under the "Kid Pure" brand in Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio with national distribution to follow.
To qualify for the Smile Healthy certification program, a product must meet oral health standards and undergo rigorous testing. The ADA Board of Trustees set the following general standards for the Smile Healthy program:
• All product categories to be included in Smile Healthy must have specific identifiable criteria to evaluate a product's oral health benefit.
• No exclusive company product arrangements will be permitted.
• The product category is open to all products that meet the product category criteria.
• The ADA will receive no revenues from these arrangements; instead, 1 percent of net sales generated from the sale of products with the Smile Healthy logo will be directed to the ADA Foundation to be used in charitable access-to-care, education, research and public awareness initiatives.
"We're pleased and honored that Water Source One is the first participant in this important program," said Dave Evans, president of Water Source One. "We see this program as a way to differentiate our product from others while adding a very important oral health value."
"Smile Healthy will be another tool consumers can use to make sure what they're drinking and eating are smart choices for their oral health," said James B. Bramson, D.D.S., ADA executive director. "And by starting with fluoridated water, we're encouraging behavior that will address a basic oral health need and help prevent cavities."
For more information on Smile Healthy, please visit www.ada.org.
