Public Relations

The ACP is committed to partnering with our members in increasing public awareness for the specialty of prosthodontics. As a prosthodontist, you are the greatest advocate for the specialty! Below are some resources to help you reach your local media and community.

If you have any questions or additional PR needs, please contact media@prosthodontics.org.

Interview Tips & Tricks

Contacting local media:

Think of the news outlets in your town. They can generally be broken into three categories: Print (or locally-focused digital publications), TV, and Radio. Most of these outlets accept news tips and story ideas because they have space they need to fill with information that is relevant to your town. News outlets like health-oriented content because they have a wide appeal among readers and are often 'evergreen' in nature.

Once you identify outlets you would like to connect with, look for relevant contact information on their website. This can often be found under a “Contact Us” tab or form, and some sites will even have direct emails for each reporter listed. Many will also have a News Tips phone number where you can talk to a producer or reporter directly.

When you’re ready to reach out, make sure to have a local and/or timely angle to your story. For example: you are working on a pro bono case and your patient is willing to be interviewed; you are having an event that is open to the community; it is Dental Health Month and you want to give oral health advice; or a holiday is coming up and you have recommendations on how to enjoy it responsibly, like candy and Halloween.

Contact the news outlet, giving them the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of the story you are pitching. Different media outlets need different “lead times” or notice before a story takes place. Be sure you are contacting them far enough in advance!

After you’ve contacted media outlets, it is good to follow-up with them after a few days to be sure they received the materials you sent.

Before the Interview:

A few things to keep in mind ahead of your interview:

1. What is the format of the interview? Reporters conduct interviews in person, over the phone, and sometimes even by email.

2. How long is this article or TV segment going to be? If it is a brief quote then you must focus your message into a concise statement, versus a longer piece that allows you to touch on more topics.

3. Know your key messages. It helps to think about what points you would like to get across before the interview takes place so you can direct your answers regardless of the questions.

4. Practice! It always helps to run through some practice questions with a friend, colleague, or even by yourself in front of a mirror.

During the Interview:

Be clear and concise! Try to speak in terms that a general audience can easily understand.

Be comfortable and authentic! Think of the interview as a conversation. Even if you are nervous, remember that the interviewer wants things to go well and is rooting for you.

Identify yourself as a prosthodontist! Try to communicate what you do in a way that everyone can understand. One option is: “As a prosthodontist, I am a dental specialist with advanced training in the restoration of missing or damaged teeth. I focus on…” and name a few of the procedures you perform most often, such as dentures or dental implants.

After the Interview:

Ask when the story will air or be printed, and see if the reporter will send you a copy for your records.

Tell us! We want to share the good news, so send us a clip of your TV appearance, article, or quote at media@prosthodontics.org.

Suggested Topics

Here are a few select areas of prosthodontics that the media and the public may find interesting.

Prosthodontics in general

One way to build awareness in your community is to make sure people have a basic understanding of prosthodontics, and what you do as a prosthodontist. 

- Press Release Template: Prosthodontists are the Specialists for Missing Teeth (PDF) (Word)

-Videos: ACP YouTube Channel

DENTAL IMPLANTS

It's essential to let the public know that prosthodontists are the specialists for dental implants. Prosthodontists are uniquely qualified to replace missing teeth due to extensive training using state of the art technology and procedures. 

-Letter to the Editor Template: Prosthodontists are the Specialists for Dental Implants (PDF) (Word)

-Press Release: A New Set of Teeth - Quicker Than Ever (PDF) (Word)

-ACP Position Statement on Dental Implants

-Videos: ACP YouTube Channel

Dentures

Most people know that you need to take care of your natural teeth, but not everyone realizes that you also need to treat your new dentures with the same level of care. A well-fitting and functioning denture can improve your confidence and quality of life. As specialists with extensive training in prosthetic dentistry, prosthodontists help patients maintain functional and attractive dentures.

-Letter to the Editor Template: Denture Health and Oral Health are both Essential (PDF) (Word)

-Letter to the Editor Template: Loose Dentures Can Lead to Serious Health Concerns (PDF) (Word)

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Restored Teeth

The ACP led a team of prosthodontists, general dentists, and hygienists to research over 5,000 scientific articles to publish the first guidelines on how to properly care for restored teeth.

- Journal of Prosthodontics: ACP's Clinical Practice Guidelines for  Restored Teeth

- Colgate Chairside Guide (PDF) 

- Videos: How Long Do Crowns, Bridges, Veneers Last? Prosthodontists Answer Using Clinical Practice Guidelines 

Digital Dentistry

While it may seem new to patients, prosthodontists have been using digital dentistry technology for more than a decade and are technological leaders in the dental field. That's a great way to set yourself apart from your peers. 

- Digital Dentistry Talking Points

- ACP Position Statement on Digital Dentistry 

- Videos: Learn How Prosthodontists Utilize the Latest Technology

Bulimia

Per the National Eating Disorders Association, 20 million women and 10 million men in the U.S. suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life, including bulimia, binge eating disorder and anorexia. Filed‐down, sharp looking teeth can be a sign of bulimia, indicating acid erosion from chronic purging.

Prosthodontists apply advanced training and the latest technology to restore beauty, form, and function to teeth for optimal oral health.

-Bulimia Talking Points

-Letter to the Editor Template: Prosthodontists Fix Smiles Damaged by Bulimia

-Video: What to do about "bulimia teeth"? Allison asks a prosthodontist

SLEEP APNEA

Research supports the use of an oral appliance in the treatment of sleep apnea in cases of mild to moderate sleep apnea. Many members of the public think the only option for sleep apnea is a CPAP, but some prosthodontists can offer an alternative in certain cases. 

-Sleep Apnea Talking Points

-ACP Position Statement on Sleep Apnea

-Screenings: Epworth Questionnaire & Berlin Questionnaire  

-Video: Treating sleep apnea without a CPAP

Infographics & Videos

Visuals can be a powerful tool in conveying important information to patients. Here are some useful infographics the ACP has developed that you can share with your community.

There are also over 170 videos on the ACP’s YouTube page that you can display in your office, share on social media, or use to help patients better understand prosthodontics.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ACProsthodontists

PR Pointers