Wondering when you should replace your toothbrush? Worried about that upcoming root canal? The Smile Line can help.
From noon until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Illinois residents with questions on all aspects of oral health are urged to call 1-800-83-BRUSH. This statewide toll-free service, dubbed The Smile Line, is a spinoff of the national hot line. It is being offered for the first time as a state event by the Illinois Academy of General Dentistry.
“This year’s national Smile Line was a great success. Almost 40,000 calls were received,” said Dr. James Sacrey of Geneva.”We decided it was time to sponsor a state component, as well.”
Sacrey, the current state president of the academy, will be one of approximately 30 Illinois dentists handling calls. They will answer questions on everything from how often a person should brush to whether tooth whiteners are safe. By answering these questions, the dentists hope to put the public at ease about scheduling dental appointments.
“This is absolutely free. It is for the people,” Sacrey said. “It gives everyone the opportunity to talk to a general dentist about their own dental health or their children’s.”
Sacrey points out that actual diagnosis over the phone is not possible.
