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PHOTO GALLERY
Shelley Valentini, Executive Director of United Way Northeastern Minnesota
3rd graders getting toothbrushes at the Smiles Across America Launch on the Iron Range
The United Way of Northeastern Minnesota welcomes Smiles Across America to the Iron Range |
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ORAL HEALTH CARE CAN'T WAIT
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Oral Health America is pleased to be a sponsor of the Oral Healthcare Can't Wait™ campaign, launched by the Dental Trade Alliance to encourage Americans not to give oral health, or overall health, the brush-off! Click here for information about the campaign. Information for consumers is at:
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THANKSGIVING
THANKS
Looking for a unique way to show somebody how thankful you are?
Consider giving to Oral Health America In Honor Of or In Memory Of a friend or family member!
Happy Holidays! |
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OHA IN THE NEWS! 
Oral Health America was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times Media Planet Supplement!
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OHA's Board Member Dr. Frank Catalanotto talks to CBS about Dental Care in Health Care Reform.
Maine Watch with Jennifer Rocks explores Maine's Dental Health Crisis
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| Oral Health America's 20th Annual Benefit & Gala
NEW DATE: Wednesday, February 24, 2010
NEW LOCATION: Chicago's Union Station |
| Contact Joe Donohue for more information:
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Are you at least
age 71 ½?
If so, did you know...
Part of the $700 billion economic bailout bill includes a two-year extension of the IRA Rollover provision! The provision was made retroactive to January 1, 2008, and will apply to gifts made from that date through December 31, 2009.
The provision exempts from taxable income any funds transferred ("rolled over") from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a charitable organization. Therefore, please consider donating to Oral Health America with your pre-tax IRA monies.
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2008 ANNUAL REPORT |
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OHA's Annual Report illustrates our commitment to Access, Education and Advocay.
Please take a look! | |
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SMILES ACROSS AMERICA® AND SMILES ACROSS MINNESOTA LAUNCH NEW PROGRAM ON THE IRON RANGE
On September 25 at Lincoln Elementary in Hibbing, MN, Oral Health America, Smiles Across Minnesota, Children's Dental Services and the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota launched a new Smiles Across America® site in a community that has been deeply affected by our national economic recession. Through the program, children in several school districts located on the Iron Range will receive dental services - including cleanings, fluoride treatment and sealants - right within the schools. Community leaders, children, teachers, and Smiles Across Minnesota partners were present to celebrate the expansion, and the children were given goody bags filed with toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss.
"We are pleased to help bring this important program to the Iron Range as it aligns with our focus on helping youth and children succeed," Shelley Valentini, Executive Director, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota.
Smiles Across America connects communities with financial and technical resources to improve the oral health of children who are underserved or uninsured. The mining communities in Northeast Minnesota's 120 mile-long Iron Range have faced economic hardship in recent years, and access to dental care is a challenge for many families.
"Smiles Across Minnesota and Children's Dental Services chose the Iron Range for the creation of a school-based dental care program because of the extreme needs in the community," said Sarah Wovcha, JD, MPH, Executive Director of Children's Dental Services. "On average, 53 percent of students receive free and reduced lunches. Furthermore, there have been widespread layoffs as a result of slowdowns in steel manufacturing. The launch demonstrated the commitment of the community and the strength of partnerships that will support the Smiles Across Minnesota Iron Range program."
Dental services will be offered to all students at participating schools and administered by a local hygienist from Children's Dental Services. Uninsured students who are income-eligible will receive free care through the program, paid for by charitable, corporate and foundation contributions. If a family already has commercial insurance, those children and their parents will be encouraged to visit their previously established dental home.
"Smiles Across Minnesota is a model Smiles Across America program partner, demonstrating how to successfully collaborate with communities and expand services while identifying needs and eliminating barriers to oral health care and education throughout the state," said Beth Truett, President and CEO of OHA.
Pictured above: Eilidh Reyelts, Manager, Children's Dental Services; Shelley Valentini, Executive Director, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota; Ann Johnson, Community Affairs Director, Delta Dental of Minnesota; Beth Truett, President and CEO, Oral Health America; Ann Rogers, Community Affairs Specialist, Delta Dental of Minnesota; Sarah Wovcha, Executive Director, Children's Dental Services.
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OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL CARE AS NATION LEARNS OF ANOTHER PREVENTABLE DEATH DUE TO CUTS IN MEDICAID DENTAL BENEFITS
Close to 140 organizations from across the country joined Oral Health America, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), Dental Health Foundation, National Consumers League, Institute for Oral Health, and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors in an open letter addressed to President Barack Obama and Congress, urging them to rightly prioritize dental disease and oral health conditions equally alongside other serious medical conditions as our country seeks solutions to improving the nation's health.
The letter appeared in Roll Call on Tuesday, October 20, and was delivered by ADEA to members of Congress this week, just as the nation learned of the recent tragic death of a woman from Northern Michigan, who was unable to get the dental treatment she needed for extensive periodontal disease due to the elimination of adult Medicaid benefits in that state. To see the Roll Call advertisement with all of the organizational signatories, click here.
To read more in DrBicuspid.com about the tragic and preventable death of the Northern Michigan resident, click here.
Please take time to share this story with your elected officials today.
Call them and state:
Healthcare reform must provide universal coverage including oral health benefits and access to high-quality, cost-effective oral health care services.
Find local phone numbers for your elected officials here: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml. Share your experience in contacting them with us at melissa@oralhealthamerica.org. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you! |
DONOR PROFILE:
MT. ARLINGTON FAMILY DENTISTRY
Mt. Arlington Family Dentistry located in Mt. Arlington, New Jersey, is a private dental practice operated by Dr. Emanuel Catania since 2004. Dr. Catania answered questions for Oral Health America about Mt. Arlington Family Dentistry's frequent gifts to OHA in memory of his patients. In Memory Of and In Honor Of gifts are a great way to celebrate someone's life. They also make wonderful presents:
OHA: Why does Mt. Arlington Family Dentistry choose to make memorial donation gifts?
Dr. Catania: Our mission has been to provide quality dental treatment in a modern, state-of-the-art dental practice, with an emphasis on patient comfort & personalized care! The personalized relationships that I develop with my patients are probably the most rewarding part of being a dentist for me. Because of these relationships, it only felt natural to acknowledge in some small way the passing of a patient.
OHA: Why did Mt. Arlington Family Dentistry choose to give to OHA?
Dr. Catania: As a dentist I thought the best way for me to acknowledge the passing of a patient was to make a donation to a charitable organization which represents the oral health interests of the American public. Of the many worthy organizations I researched, I ultimately decided to contribute to Oral Health America because I believe a gift to this organization, with its broad reaching impact on the community, is the best way to honor my patients.
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SYMPOSIUM CALLS FOR IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR SENIORS THROUGH DENTAL/MEDICAL COLLABORATION
Dental and medical practitioners with an interest in geriatric medicine had a unique opportunity to discuss the associations between optimum oral health and overall health at a program on October 16 at the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS). While scientists, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public recognize oral health's importance to health and well-being, a collaborative approach to disease management can enhance the quality of health care delivery, advance health care for seniors, and improve patient outcomes.
"The program created a forum for open dialogue among scientists, clinicians and healthcare leaders to exchange knowledge and ideas regarding the oral healthcare issues unique to our senior population," said Beth Truett, President and CEO, Oral Health America. "Dental and medical care providers rarely have a chance to communicate about collaborative treatment options. We were honored to work with NYAS, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and Columbia University College of Physicians on this health integration program."
This Continuing Medical Education program, entitled Collaborative Health Care for Older Adults: A Symposium for Creating Dialogue between Medicine and Dentistry, was sponsored by Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Oral Health America and NYAS. Program supporters include Aetna Dental, Colgate, and DENTSPLY International. eBriefings from the symposium will be available within a month at the conference website at www.nyas.org/health-aging.
Pictured: Kathy Granger, Senior Program Manager, NYAS; George Rhodes, OHA Board Chair; Beth Truett, President & CEO, OHA. |
CORPORATE DONOR PROFILE: HU-FRIEDY
Hu-Friedy, a world renowned dental manufacturing company located in Chicago, has been a long time supporter and friend to OHA. We asked Erin Kettel, Corporate Communications Manager, about Hu-Friedy's support over the years:
OHA: Oral Health America's programs are designed to improve dental access, provide education, and advocate for the importance of oral health as crucial component to overall health. How does that resonate with Hu-Friedy's business model?
Ms. Kettel: OHA's mission is very much in line with Hu-Friedy's mission, "improve lives through dentistry - smile after smile." Our company doesn't just manufacture hand instruments, we strive to provide the best solutions in care for practitioners and their patients. Our work is rooted in education and a strong commitment to excellence, illustrated not only through product innovation but services such as our online dental hygiene community, Friends of Hu-Friedy (www.friendsofhu-friedy.com). OHA's programs set in motion the values Hu-Friedy focuses on each day. Hu-Friedy views OHA as a trusted partner and companion in sharing important oral health messages.
OHA: As we work towards a future in which everyone has the opportunity to have a healthy mouth, why should individuals and organizations contribute to OHA's Annual Fund Campaign?
Ms. Kettle: Involvement with OHA is important, and creates opportunities for greater outreach and understanding. By teaming with OHA and other dental health organizations, we maximize our individual efforts and provide for more patients. Hu-Friedy will always be an active member of the dental health community, and the benefits we have experienced by serving together with OHA are a testament to strong future outcomes and brighter smiles for our nation. |
SHOP WITH GIVEBACKAMERICA.ORG!
Frequently Shop Online?
GiveBackAmerica.org is an online shopping mall that was created to raise money for charities. Retailers, such as Expedia.com and Target.com, pay GiveBackAmerica.org a commission to refer customers to their site. GiveBackAmerica.org takes the commission from the retailer and shares it with the charity of your choice. Please make Oral Health America that charity!
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GIVE TO OHA THROUGH THE UNITED WAY!
Did you know you can designate your United Way contribution to Oral Health America? We are registered with the IRS as a 501(C)3 tax-deductible charity.
United Way's workplace campaign usually takes place in the Fall. Please talk to your employer about adding Oral Health America to your list of charities or simply write us in and we'll take care of the paper work! |
| STAFF UPDATES
Oral Health America would like to welcome two new additions to the OHA team!
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Chicago native Melissa Hoebbel (pictured above), Communications & Development Coordinator, brings a background in marketing and communications and a great love for the Chicago Cubs to OHA's staff. Melissa previously worked on OHA's National Smile Month campaign with our marketing partners, The Ingenuity Team.
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Liz Tapp (pictured above), Marketing Communications Coordinator, combines significant skills in graphic and web design with both artistic and marketing sensibilities. Liz, who worked with our President Beth Truett at Chicago Lights, designed OHA's 2008 Annual Report. Watch for OHA's new look!
OHA would also like to thank Sue Dodd and Tammy Dillard-Steels for their services and wishes them many years of prosperity.
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Sue Dodd, RDH, concludes her dedicated consulting role with OHA to pursue opportunities through her firm, SCD Healthcare Consulting, LLC. Sue has been a part of OHA for many years, first as part of the National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP), and then through 2008, as Director of Programs, contributing to the formation of Smiles Across America and the National Periodontal Disease Project.
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Tammy Dillard-Steels, MBA, MPH, joined OHA in 2009 and served a valuable role in bringing systems and structure to our programs. | |
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