YOU CAN CHANGE LIVES BY HELPING OHA TO RAISE $1.8 MILLION IN 2010
Investing in Oral Health America through a gift to the Annual Fund is an effective way to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. To date we’ve received gifts and pledges of more than $1.2 million, with $600,000 to go.
By improving the oral health of children, older adults and people with special needs in particular, you are helping us to build a stronger, healthier society.
Because 73 cents of every dollar donated to OHA goes to our Programs, you can be assured that you are making a wise investment.
THANK YOU!!!
SAVE THE DATE
OHA is pleased to announce May 4, 2011as the date for the nextMedical Dental DialoguesSymposium, which will focus on diabetes. The symposium will be held at the New York Academy of Sciences in partnership with Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine and College of Physicians and Surgeons. Email Amanda Ciatti(amanda@oralhealtham
rica.org)to get on our mailing list for more information.
Oral Health America
IN THE NEWS!
The New York Times mentions OHA in an article about implants vs. dentures. Read the article here
In an article about Trident’s new ad campaign, Brandweek mentions Trident’s relationship with SAA.
Our University of North Carolina intern, Ben Anders, has returned to school! We will miss his company, but he is continuing on as OHA’s Social Media Coordinator. Read a recap of Ben’s summer experience on his OHA internship blog!
Teen Parent Family Services in Chicago held a Youth Health Fair and Film Screening last month, which included free dental cleanings and information about various local health programs. Oral Health America donated Sunstar toothbrushes for the event. Congratulations to Teen Parent Family Services for a successful event and for spreading the word about the importance of oral health!
GOOD NUTRITION POLICY IS GOOD FOR ORAL HEALTH
Congress approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 earlier this month, which increases reimbursements to school systems for lunches, provides more training to help schools serve healthier meals and strengthens school wellness policies on nutrition and physical activity. As we all know, a healthy diet supports healthy mouths. Thanks to Congress for helping our children eat healthier in school.
TRIDENT® AND SMILES ACROSS AMERICA® LAUNCH SECOND YEAR OF NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE HEALTHY MOUTHS
Actor Chris O’Donnell lends a hand to Ethan McCarthy to help promote healthy smiles at the Trident® and Smiles Across America® campaign kick-off event in West Hollywood, CA. Photo/Trident, Susan Goldman, handout.
At a kick-off event on August 10 in West Hollywood, Trident®, in partnership with Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America® (SAA) program, and actor Chris O’Donnell announced that they are teaming up for the second year of a three-year partnership to help fight cavities among the nation’s children and address the need for oral disease prevention services.
“As a parent of five children, I know first-hand the importance of healthy dental habits for my family,” said O’Donnell. “The Smiles Across America program helps to not only promote healthy habits, but also provides critical dental care services through schools – reaching those kids who might not otherwise have access. I’m thrilled to be joining this effort to help celebrate and protect smiles.”
Purchase any pack of Trident gum from September 13 through September 19, 2010 and five cents per pack will be donated to SAA. In addition, parents can follow campaign efforts on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/tridentgum.
IT’S EASY TO PARTICIPATE IN FALL FOR SMILES® ONLINE!
Whether you’re a novice or tech guru, participating in Fall for Smiles® is easy online! Beginning in September the social media sites you use personally or for your business or organization are perfect for getting everyone involved! Just mentioning Fall for Smiles® in a wall post or status update on Facebook or a quick tweet on Twitter can help spread the word. Need some help wording your post or tweet?Go to www.fallforsmiles.org to download our electronic messaging guide. The guide provides suggestions and sample Facebook updates and tweets that you can edit or use “as is” for your social media page.
You’ll find other communications resources on www.fallforsmiles.org as well, including editorial copy for your local newspaper, and text you can use in listservs and eNewsletters. Let’s get everyone talking about healthy mouths this fall!
INDIVIDUAL DONOR: ROBERT WALKER
OralDNA Labs Vice President and General Manager Robert Walker joined Oral Health America’s Board of Directors this year, and he has already made a personal contribution to OHA in addition to serving on the Board’s Resource Development Committee. Here’s what he had to say about his time with OHA so far and why he decided to contribute to the annual fund.
How has your relationship with OHA impacted you?
Though I’m still very new in my involvement with OHA, I am learning just how much need there is to educate people about of the importance of oral health. As research continues to show the correlation of a healthy mouth having a big impact on having a healthy body, I believe OHA is well positioned to help educate the public in regards to this important topic. It has also been very eye opening how many children need assistance getting preventive and restorative dental care, and how not getting it can have a huge impact on their lives.
Why do you personally give to OHA?
It’s an organization that I truly believe uses the funding they receive in the best appropriate way. As you work with Beth (Truett) and her group you really see the passion they have for making a difference and it’s contagious. Also, if you ever have the ability to see how the funds are used by attending an OHA event, it’s doesn’t even become a question.
KIDS IN NEED OF DENTISTRY EXPANDS SERVICES TO DENVER-AREA SCHOOLS THROUGH SMILES ACROSS AMERICA® PARTNERSHIP
Oral Health America is pleased to welcome Denver-based Kids in Need of Dentistry (KIND) into the Smiles Across America® (SAA) network of care providers. The new SAA partnership, which includes a grant award, was announced at an event on July 27 at the Governor’s Mansion in Denver, allowing KIND to increase the number of public schools it reaches in the Denver area by by 39 percent!
KIND hygienist Cindy Derryberry, RDH, teaches a patient how to brush teeth effectively at the SAA Partnership Celebration at the Colorado Governor’s Mansion in Denver on July 27.
“KIND has proven itself one of the most effective dental health improvement organizations in the state and has made a lasting impact on the lives of low-income, uninsured or underinsured kids across Colorado. Thanks to the support KIND has received from Oral Health America and its participation in the Smiles Across America program, it will be able to expand their services and continue to provide much-needed dental services to Colorado’s kids,” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO).
OHA’s grant award to KIND is supported at the community level through a donation of infection contol services and equipment thanks to OHA Board Member Peggy Cottrell, President of Confirm Monitoring Systems, Inc., and a donation of mobile dental equipment thanks to OHA Board Member Steve Knight, President and CEO of Crown Seating and DNTLworks Equipment Corporation. Oral Health America’s support for KIND is made possible through a three-year, $1.5 million contribution from Trident® to SAA.
IT’S SUMMER RECESS: HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS?
Next week, the Maine Dental Access Coalition (MDAC) will be visiting with Maine’s two Senators, who are home this month enjoying a recess from Congress. MDAC members developed talking points to support their primary ask: that the Senators support the funding of the oral health provisions in health care reform. They are also putting together a brief agenda for the meeting, to make sure that they cover the points they wish to make.
“As a coalition, we felt that one of the most important steps we could take this summer was to meet with our Senators,” said Sarah Shed, MDAC Coordinator. “The oral health provisions in health care reform can positively impact Maine’s economic security, and the health and well-being of Mainers.”
Take a few minutes to call your Congress members, and to schedule a visit. It is very important to your elected officials that they hear from you, and understand the issues that are important to you.
“Funding oral health programs can help eliminate the pain, missed school hours and long-term health and economic consequences of untreated dental disease,” said Rebecca Alderfer, Senior Associate, Government Relations, The Pew Center on the States. ”Please urge Congress to provide strong support for both the newly authorized and existing federal oral health programs throughout the FY 2011 appropriations process. Also ask them to encourage the Administration to provide funding for these programs in the FY 2012 budget.”
Members of Congress also schedule town hall meetings and regional visits. Find out when they will be stopping by your community so you can say hello and speak up for oral health. Contact information is available here: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.
DELTA DENTAL OF CALIFORNIA SUPPORTS NSTEP®
Delta Dental of California has been a key supporter of Oral Health America’s NSTEP® (National Spit Tobacco Education Program) by sponsoring the program’s involvement with the Little League World Series. OHA recently talked to John Yamamoto, DDS, MPH, Vice President of Professional Services at Delta Dental of California about the company’s relationship with OHA.
Why did Delta Dental of California decide to form a relationship with OHA?
When OHA approached us about sponsoring a “spit tobacco” education program at the Little League World Series, we realized that we had similar goals in this regard – to help improve oral health, especially for children, with a focus on preventive education and care. It is widely known that tobacco use is one of the main causes of oral cancer. Prevention is key to fighting this debilitating and deadly disease.
What about OHA’s mission speaks the most to the goals of Delta Dental
of California?
Delta Dental of California is committed to improving oral health and access to care. We know that prevention begins very early in life, not only through regular care and treatment, but also in educating children and parents on early prevention and the links between good oral health and overall health. It’s never too early to focus on preventive care or to get the word out about hazards to good oral health, such as spit tobacco.
NECESSITIES BARN HELPS LOW INCOME APPALACHIAN FAMILIES
The Necessities Barn serves low income families in Wetzel and Tyler counties, WV, and Monroe County, OH, by providing personal care products that cannot be purchased with government food subsidies. The West Virginia University School of Dentistry, a Smiles Across America® partner, recently donated 200 tubes of Colgate toothpaste and 50 toothbrushes from OHA to the Necessities Barn.
“We can actually brush our teeth now,” said one man upon receiving a toothbrush and toothpaste. “If you’re low income and with the price of gas nowadays, it helps out with the necessities.”
Approximately 130 families receive personal care items from the Necessities Barn every month!
At a kick-off event on August 10 in West Hollywood, Trident®, in partnership with Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America® (SAA) program, and actor Chris O’Donnell announced that they are teaming up for the second year of a three-year partnership to help fight cavities among the nation’s children and address the need for oral disease prevention services.
OralDNA Labs Vice President and General Manager Robert Walker joined Oral Health America’s Board of Directors this year, and he has already made a personal contribution to OHA in addition to serving on the Board’s Resource Development Committee. Here’s what he had to say about his time with OHA so far and why he decided to contribute to the annual fund.
The Necessities Barn serves low income families in Wetzel and Tyler counties, WV, and Monroe County, OH, by providing personal care products that cannot be purchased with government food subsidies. The West Virginia University School of Dentistry, a Smiles Across America® partner, recently donated 200 tubes of Colgate toothpaste and 50 toothbrushes from OHA to the Necessities Barn.
