CHICAGO, Jan. 8, 2013 – The American Dental Association (ADA) has introduced the ADA® Dental Symptom Checker™ onMouthHealthy.orgto provide patients with accurate information about their oral health symptoms, help them make better-informed decisions about their oral health, help build consumer awareness of the importance of oral health and recognize the benefits of regular dental visits.
After entering their age and gender in the ADA Dental Symptom Checker, patients can identify the location of the symptom they’re having and other factors, such as pain or discharge, and read about various conditions that fit that description. The Symptom Checker is not meant to diagnose or replace the role of the dentist. In fact, many of the conditions emphasize the importance of seeing a dentist or physician.
The ADA developed the ADA Dental Symptom Checker in conjunction with an ADA member dentist who is a faculty member at an accredited U.S. dental school. Four ADA councils vetted the Symptom Checker. In developing MouthHealthy.org, a symptom checker tool was identified as the top feature requested by consumers.
The ADA launched the award-winning MouthHealthy.org website in June 2012 to reach the 80 percent of Internet users who seek health information online. Consumers can find oral health concerns organized by life stages, A-Z topics with videos, ADA Seal of Acceptance products, and tips and activities to make oral health care fun for kids.
The ADA Dental Symptom Checker is now available as an interactive Web platform on MouthHealthy.org, as well as a downloadable app on iTunes and Google Play.
Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow the ADA on Twitter@AmerDentalAssn
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation’s largest dental association, representing 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public’s health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA’s state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA’s flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit www.ada.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA’s consumer website www.MouthHealthy.org.
