DentaQuest today announced a partnership with America’s ToothFairy to educate communities on the dangers of vaping.
Teens are vaping at an alarming rate. According to the CDC, as of 2020, 19.6% of high school students and 4.7% of middle school students vape. Although the long-term health effects of vaping are still being studied, there are many known adverse outcomes affecting teens’ developing brains and the health of their skin and mouths.
In response, DentaQuest is collaborating with America’s ToothFairy to build awareness of the consequences of vaping among teens and their parents during February, National Children’s Dental Health Month. The “What’s so Bad About Vaping?” initiative includes:
- classroom presentations by DentaQuest’s community outreach coordinators
- printed educational materials for students and parents
- free online resources that include printable materials and a social media kit
- an educational website, SayNo2Vaping.org
“E-cigarette devices were created to help smokers quit. Unfortunately, teens who might not have ever smoked are vaping because they believe it’s harmless,” said Jill Malmgren, executive director of America’s ToothFairy, a nonprofit organization that provides resources to increase access to dental care and oral health education programs. “We are especially grateful to DentaQuest for making this unique initiative possible. We aim to build awareness of the dangers of vaping not only on systemic health but also the increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay compared to kids who don’t vape.”
“The oral health community plays an important role in curbing smoking and the teen vaping epidemic. Providers not only serve as educators and support, but also help with early intervention for the many smoking-related diseases like cancer that may initially present in the mouth,” said Steve Pollock, president and CEO for DentaQuest. “We commend America’s ToothFairy for their leadership in educating teens and parents on the dangers of vaping, and together we are committed to providing people with the tools and resources they need to stay safe and healthy.”
In addition to information about systemic and oral health, the initiative also addresses nicotine addiction, the negative impact vaping has on one’s appearance, resources to quit, and tips for parents to help determine if their child is vaping and how to talk to teens about the dangers of vaping.
To learn more about the campaign and to access the free educational resources visit SayNo2Vaping.org.
ABOUT SUN LIFE
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.54 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.
ABOUT DENTAQUEST
Sun Life U.S. Dental, which includes DentaQuest, is dedicated to improving the oral health of all through purpose-driven, outcomes-based solutions. We make dental benefits better for everyone through Preventistry® – an inclusive approach centered on preventive, quality care, expanded access and solutions built on valued relationships across the health care ecosystem. We manage dental and vision benefits for approximately 35 million Americans. For 30 years, we have delivered cost-effective benefit plans and services for employer groups, individuals, health plans, and government-sponsored dental programs. We are the largest Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits administrator in the U.S., by membership. We also support direct patient care through an expanding network of approximately 75 dental practices in underserved communities across the United States. Learn more about Sun Life U.S. Dental at Sunlife.com/dental and DentaQuest.com.
ABOUT AMERICA'S TOOTHFAIRY: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
As a resource provider, America’s ToothFairy increases access to oral health care by supporting nonprofit clinics and community partners delivering education, prevention, and treatment services for underserved children. Since its inception in 2006, America’s ToothFairy has distributed more than $23.6 million in donated products, educational materials, and financial grants to improve oral health outcomes for children and youth in need. For more information, visit AmericasToothFairy.org.
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