1,392 LOCAL STUDENT ATHLETES PLEDGED TO BE TOBACCO-FREE AT THE 12TH ANNUAL S.M.A.R.T. PHYSICALS EVENT HELD BY USC SPORTS MEDICINE

It is estimated that over 21 percent of all male high school students in the state are users of smokeless or spit tobacco and nearly 5,900 South Carolinian under the age of 18 become new daily smokers each year. In an effort to help ignite a tobacco-free nation, Delta Dental of South Carolina teamed up with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine to educate student athletes on the harmful effects tobacco use can have on oral and overall health during the free S.M.A.R.T. physicals administered this past weekend at the Palmetto Health-USC Family Medicine Center.

 The students came from 48 area high schools, prep schools and middle schools in Richland, Lexington, Orangeburg, Newberry, Lee and Fairfield counties. During their visit to the center, athletes were provided facts and other information about the negative impact of tobacco use. Each was also invited to sign a tobacco-free pledge, acknowledging that they do not use tobacco and outlining their willingness to advocate no-smoking and no-chewing lifestyle choices among their friends and peers.

 "Of the 1,440 student athletes who received free sports physicals here today, 1,392 of them made a pledge during this event to be tobacco-free," said Jeffrey Guy, M.D., assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at USC School Medicine. "We are pleased with this turnout and also with the fact that these young athletes were provided with not only a physical so they can play in the school sports programs, but also that we could provide information to help them make better choices for their health and athletic performance in the future."

Delta Dental of South Carolina launched its #TobaccoFreeSC program at this event with USC Sports Medicine because of the known links between tobacco use and poor oral health.

“Smoking and chewing tobacco stains teeth and is a known cause of oral cancer,” commented Spann Laffitte, vice president of sales and account management at Delta Dental of South Carolina. “We are proud of those who made the tobacco-free pledge at the S.M.A.R.T. event. 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.”

Laffitte added, “We would like to extend a special thank you to USC Sports Medicine and Dr. Jeff Guy for allowing Delta Dental to be a part of this fantastic event.”

Each student who signed a tobacco-free pledge received a free water bottle and was entered into a drawing for a limited edition print of the 2011 USC football team signed by Marcus Lattimore.  A student from Chapin High School was the lucky winner of the print. Those in attendance were also encouraged to join the conversation about the importance of being tobacco-free on Twitter using #TobaccoFreeSC.  

To learn more about tobacco use and the impact it has on oral health and overall health, visit Delta Dental’s microsite, www.GoodHealthStartsHere.org.

Delta Dental is the nation’s leading dental benefits company. A 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization with a social mission to improve oral health, Delta Dental of South Carolina is committed to providing access to quality dental care with the nation’s largest network and exceptional customer service. Four out of five dentists participate with Delta Dental nationally. Across the nation, nearly one in three families with dental benefits choose Delta Dental—56 million members from nearly 96,000 companies. Based on proven associations between good oral health and good overall health, our smart benefits plans focus on prevention, as well as comprehensive care to promote good oral health among adults and children across the state. To learn more about Delta Dental of South Carolina, visit www.deltadentalsc.com, call 803-731-2495 in Columbia, or call toll-free at 800-529-3268.

 The University of South Carolina School of Medicine and its physician practice, University Specialty Clinics, are committed to providing world-class health care to South Carolinians. University Specialty Clinics is the largest physician practice in the Midlands of South Carolina with more than 150 faculty physicians trained in many areas of medicine. Since welcoming its first class of students in 1977, the School of Medicine has provided a high-quality and personalized medical education to more than 2,500 graduates. The School of Medicine is recognized nationally and internationally as the first medical school to offer students a four-year integrated ultrasound curriculum. Basic science researchers at the School of Medicine are involved in groundbreaking medical research in such areas as heart disease, stroke, inflammation, telepsychiatry and ultrasound.