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4/30/2015

Delta Dental of New Mexico to Attend Health Fairs at Boys & Girls Clubs

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 30, 2015 — Delta Dental of New Mexico (DDNM) will present at two upcoming health fairs at Boys & Girls Clubs in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. DDNM’s Chief Dental Officer and resident dentist, Jesús Galván, DDS, will present on the harmful oral effects of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol abuse at both events. The first fair is on Friday, May 1, from 4:30pm-6:30pm at 4600 Sundt Rd. NE in Rio Rancho. The second fair is on Friday, May 8, from 4:30pm-6:30pm at 3333 Truman St. NE in Albuquerque. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Dr. Galván will speak about the negative effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs on the mouth and the rest of the body, in an effort to teach young boys and girls about how oral health is essential to overall health. He will cover topics including oral cancer and gum disease. Further, he will delve into the subject of tobacco, including the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and “vaping,” or inhaling a vapor made up of nicotine, other chemicals, and flavoring from an e-cigarette or other electronic vaping device.

“E-cigarettes and ‘vaping’ are being promoted as a healthy alternative to smoking, yet e-cigarettes are nothing more than another delivery system for nicotine, a drug,” says Dr. Galván. “Various organizations, including the Food and Drug Administration, are calling for extensive review of the e-cigarette product, and very little is known about the long-term effects of using them.”

Dr. Galván adds that children and teenagers are susceptible to advertising, such as how e-cigarettes and vaping have been glamorized in promotional materials and the media.

Dr. Galván and other DDNM staff will be available at both health fairs to answer questions about oral health and dental benefits.

About Delta Dental of New Mexico
Delta Dental of New Mexico is a nonprofit dental benefits provider that aims to advance oral health for New Mexicans through dental benefits plans and community giving. The company’s benefits plans cover nearly 390,000 New Mexicans. DDNM is proud to give to New Mexico service organizations including Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, school-based dental clinics via UNM’s Division of Dental Hygiene, Blessings in a Backpack, Leadership New Mexico, the New Mexico Dental Foundation, New Mexico Mission of Mercy, Special Olympics of New Mexico, and UNM United Way. DDNM is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has served New Mexicans for more than forty years.