Oral Health America Gala Raises Funds for Oral Health Services

February 22, 2007

CHICAGO--Over 900 Oral Health America supporters gathered on February 22nd at Chicago's Navy Pier Grand Ballroom for the nation's largest charitable event in dentistry.

Oral Health America was pleased to welcome Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as Honorary Chairman for its 17th Annual Gala Dinner and Benefit. The event, OHA's most successful gala ever, raised over $180,000 to support educational and service programs designed to improve oral health—and raise the profile of oral health's importance to overall health.

According to Dr. Mary Hayes, Gala chair and a Chicago pediatric dentist, “The Mayor has worked to ensure that school children in Chicago are free of dental disease. Funds raised from the Gala make it possible for OHA to continue to support school-based oral health programs in our city and throughout the country.”

“I commend Oral Health America for helping to make Chicago a better and healthier place to live, work and raise families,” said Mayor Daley.

Tremendous thanks to the following gala sponsors and gala committee members, who make the gala possible. Platinum Level gala sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Beazley, Chicago Dental Society, DENTSPLY , Ivoclar Vivadent, Patterson Dental, Sci Can, and Sullivan-Schein, A Henry Schein Company. Gold Level gala sponsors: Aetna Dental, Argen Corporation, Belmont Publications, Inc., Delta Dental of Massachusetts, GC America , GlaxoSmithKline, Heraeus Kulzer, National Dentex Corporation, 1-800-DENTIST, Orapharma, Inc., Philips Sonicare , Tokuyama, and Unilever. Gala committee members: Mary J. Hayes, DDS, MS, Pediatric Dental Health Associates, OHA Gala Chairwoman; The Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, Honorary Chairman; Margaret Pagel, Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics; Keith Suchy, DDS, Drs. Sullivan & Suchy, Ltd., OHA Board Member; Teresa May, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.; Anne Steinbock, Whip Mix Corporation; Milly Goldstein, Harry J. Bosworth Company, OHA Board Member; Tony Montemurro, Septodent; Pam Hemmen, Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.; Chuck Dushman, Sonrisas Plan Dental; Richard M. Celko, DDS, Aetna Dental; Tom Czervionke, McCarthy Communications; Bernard J. Beazley, OHA Gala Chairman Emeritus; Nancy Sakaduski, Sakaduski Marketing Solutions, Inc.; Joseph Donohue, Oral Health America; Alison Hayes, Oral Health America; Candy B. Ross, RDH, Danaher Corporation; and Margaret S. Cottrell, Confirm Monitoring Systems, Inc., OHA Board Member.

Special thanks also to 1-800-DENTIST for producing a video about OHA for the gala, and to Belmont Publications, Inc., for designing the gala print materials.

The Oral Health America Gala & Benefit, held each year during the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, is one of the dental industry's premier networking events. Next year's gala will take place on Thursday, February 21. For sponsorship or ticket information, call Joseph Donohue at (312) 836-9900 or email joe@oralhealthamerica.org.

CONTACT

Elizabeth Rogers, (207) 771-8824

Oral Health America is the nation's premier, independent advocacy organization dedicated to improving oral health.