On May 4, the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the New York Academy of Sciences are presenting Diabetes and Oral Disease: Implications for Health Professionals. The symposium will bring together medical and dental professionals as well as basic researchers to examine the bidirectional relationship between oral disease and diabetes. Oral Health America is a Silver Sponsor of this event.Click here for more information about the symposium and to register!
REFER A FRIEND TO DR. BICUSPID AND SUPPORT OHA
Refer a friend to drbicuspid.com and support OHA! For every friend you refer, drbicuspid.com will donate $1 to OHA, your favorite dental charity. Visit their website for more information. Consider it a belated Valentine!
BEN’S BLOG
Social Media Coordinator Ben Anders
is blogging for OHA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Follow Ben’s Blog
VOTE FOR KIDS IN NEED OF DENTISTRY
Smiles Across America® partner Kids in Need of Dentistry needs your votes. The organization is a finalist in Tom’s of Maine’s annual Dental Health for All™ program, which splits $100,000 between five mobile dental clinics to help expand their programs. Click here to vote up to five times daily throughout this month.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OHA BOARD MEMBER PEGGY COTTRELL
Our heartfelt congratulations to OHA Board’s Vice Chair, Peggy Cottrell, for the successful sale of the sterilization monitoring business of her company, ConFirm Monitoring Systems, Inc. to Crosstex International, a subsidiary of Cantel Medical Corp. Go Peggy!
OHA President and CEO Beth Truett recently completed the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, cheered on by her granddaughters, Hilary, Nora and Ada. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement!
HEALTHY SMILES TO WARM OUR HEARTS DURING CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Big, healthy smiles at the Santa Barbara-Ventura Counties Dental Care Foundation mobile dental clinic.
Children’s Dental Health Month gives us a special reason to celebrate the hard work of those who provide dental care to children year-round. Each year on Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Day, the first Friday in February, thousands of dentists and their dental teams provide free dental care to low-income children.
Two of our Smiles Across America treatment partners, Smiles Across Minnesota and the Santa Barbara-Ventura County (SBVC) Dental Care Foundation shared the 2009 and 2010 GKAS program growth grants awarded to Oral Health America from the American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF). Both participated in GKAS Day and are expanding to help more children in their communities receive needed oral health care year round.
The SBVC Dental Care Foundation used its mobile dental clinic and grant funding from OHA to partner with several local organizations to provide oral health care and dental sealants. Betty Layne, DDS, MSD, MBA, the Foundation’s Executive Director said that during their GKAS event, “the children were smiling, all the dental volunteers were smiling, and we expect more smiles in days to come. What a joy it is to see a healthy smile.”
At OHA, we also want to thank you for making a difference by improving children’s oral health!
OHA ANNOUNCES A NEW THREE YEAR, $500,000 COMMITMENT FROM IVOCLAR VIVADENT, INC.
Oral Health America (OHA) is the recipient of a three-year, $500,000 commitment from Ivoclar Vivadent, including a $100,000 cash contribution in 2010, continuing financial support in 2011 and 2012, and a significant donation of Fluor Protector® fluoride varnish and Helioseal® sealant.
In addition, Ivoclar Vivadent and OHA will launch a matching gift program for OHA’s Seal Two Million campaign, which doubles the impact of gifts made by dental professionals to the organization.
OHA’S 21st ANNUAL GALA & BENEFIT KICKS OF CHICAGO DENTAL SOCIETY’S MIDWINTER MEETING ON FEBRUARY 23
Record sponsorship levels and an expected guest list of over 800 people are setting the stage for a fun and successful event on February 23 at Chicago’s Field Museum. OHA’s gala raises a significant level of unrestricted funding for our programs. Gala Chair Genevieve Bauer says:
“Our cocktail reception will feature open bar with lots of room to mingle as well as two stations to pose for a snapshot capturing all the fun! We are excited to have technology available for our auction items, making it easy to bid and compete via your mobile device or the iPads that will be available throughout the event. Last but not least, we are raffling off a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring that looks like a “mini” replica of the late Lady Diana’s engagement ring. We can hardly wait to see you in Chicago!”
THANKS TO YOU, OHA TOPPED OUR $2,000,000 GOAL in 2010!
Thanks to your generosity, OHA surpassed our financial goal, and raised $2.4 million in 2010 for our Annual Fund. Your support enables us to live into our mission to change lives by connecting communities with resources to increase access to care, education, and advocacy for all Americans, especially those most vulnerable. We couldn’t do it without you!
OHA WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Oral Health America is pleased to welcome four new members who have recently been elected to our Board of Directors: Greg Blackmore, Chief Operating Officer, North America, Midmark Corporation; Dr. Caswell A. Evans, Director, National Oral Health Initiative, Dr. Victor Rodriguez, Owner, Clear Lake Dental Associates;and Dr. George Tysowsky, Vice President, Technology, Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc.
SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS –ASK THEM TO SUPPORT DISEASE STRATEGIES THAT WORK!
With new representatives in the House and Senate following the midterm elections, now is the time to introduce yourself and ask them to support funding for the oral health provisions in the Protection and Affordable Care Act. In tough economic times, it is important to focus on disease prevention strategies that work.
The majority leadership of the House recently proposed immediate cuts to this year’s federal budget, making it even more important to tell your elected officials that the oral health care provisions of the health care reform bill are cost effective and need to be funded. Click here to find out how to contact your Senators and House representatives. Email liz@oralhealthamerica.org if you would like a copy of OHA’s template letter, which you can use in contacting your representatives.
MEET OHA STAFF MEMBERS IN 2011
OHA staff members will be traveling to national and regional dental meetings throughout 2011. If you plan to attend one of the meetings listed below and would like to learn more about our programs, email jessica@oralhealthamerica.org to set up a time to connect with us!
Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Feb 24-26, Booth #416
American Dental Education Association Meeting, March 12-16
National Oral Health Conference, April 11-13
California Dental Association Annual Meeting, May 12-14
American Dental Hygienists Annual Session, June 15-21
National Dental Association Annual Convention, July 22-26
American Dental Association Meeting, October 10-13
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Oct. 29-Nov. 2
Dental Trade Alliance Annual Meeting, November 1-4
Oral Health America (OHA) is the recipient of a three-year, $500,000 commitment from Ivoclar Vivadent, including a $100,000 cash contribution in 2010, continuing financial support in 2011 and 2012, and a significant donation of Fluor Protector® fluoride varnish and Helioseal® sealant.
