Smiles Across America® (SAA) reaches over 310,000 children annually in school-based or school-linked settings with oral disease prevention and oral health promotion services such as dental sealants, fluoride varnish treatments and family education. SAA is affording care for children who do not have regular dental visits due to lack of resources, insurance, transportation, or because of low literacy or language barriers. The program works with community leaders, elected officials and the media to make the case that healthy mouths are critical to overall health.
Launched in Chicago in partnership with public schools and community oral health providers in 2004, SAA provides grant funding and technical assistance to treatment partners in one out of every four states across the country, with grant support totaling $1.8 million since its inception.
Through SAA, Oral Health America is a partner of America’s Promise, an organization founded by Colin and Alma Powell to improve the lives of children. In 2010, OHA met its commitment to America’s Promise to seal 1 million teeth. SAA is renewing its commitment with a new promise to seal an additional 2 million teeth by 2020.
SAA National Product Donation Project
The Product Donation Project distributes more than 500,000 units of donated dental product annually, reaching over 900 treatment partners since 1998. Oral Health America offers sealants, fluoride varnish, prophy paste, toothbrushes, sugar free gum, dental flossers and other supplies from leading corporate partners. To date OHA has helped its partners save over $1 million through donated oral disease prevention supplies. To apply for donated dental product, contact Amanda Ciatti, amanda@oralhealthamerica.org, or begin the form below.
Did you know?
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America, affecting 50 percent of first graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. Over 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related problems. Untreated tooth decay and disease can affect a child’s health, well-being, growth, and achievement. Children with serious oral health problems can have difficulty eating and sleeping, or concentrating in school. For tips on how to help kids keep their mouths healthy, download our tip sheet.
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, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010.
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America and for each pack of Trident gum purchased from Sept. 13 to Sept. 19, 2010, Trident donated five cents to help Smiles Across America provide dental care to children in need. Read more! Photo/Trident, Susan Goldman, handout.
Thank you to our generous Smiles Across America Sponsors and Funders:
Alberto Culver, American Dental Association Foundation (GKAS), 3M ESPE, The Bosworth Company, Chicago Dental Society Foundation, Delta Dental of Minnesota, DENTSPLY International, GC America, George M. Eisenberg Foundation for Charities, GlaxoSmithKlein, Northeast Delta Dental, Oxyfresh Worldwide, Patterson Foundation, Plackers Dental Flossers, Pulpdent, Trident, Wells Fargo, and WhipMix
