Delta Dental of South Carolina and the U.S.C. School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine have joined together to educate student athletes on the negative effects of tobacco use.
During free S.M.A.R.T. physicals, administered at Palmetto Health/U.S.C. Family Medicine Center, the partners provided information about the harms of tobacco use and then encouraged athletes to sign a pledge that they do not use tobacco products, asking them to promote a tobacco free lifestyle to their friends. According to Jeffrey Guy, M.D., assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at U.S.C. School of Medicine, the pledge was successful: out of 1,400 students, 1,392 pledged to be tobacco-free during the event.
Spann Laffitte, vice president of sales and account management with Delta Dental, was pleased with the results of the pledge, saying, “They made a commitment that does more than set a positive example for their peers; it’s a healthy lifestyle choice that will aid in the establishment of a clean, healthy, well-maintained mouth and overall health and wellness—which is something to smile about.”
The event gave athletes a chance for a free physical and also promoted a healthier, tobacco free lifestyle. Events such as this are very effective, especially for the impressionable high school student. To learn more about the harmful effects of tobacco use, visit www.GoodHealthStartsHere.com.
