Northeast Delta Dental Supports Smiles Across Maine Initiative

July 5, 2006

Portland, ME —School-based oral health care programs get a $5,000 boost from Northeast Delta Dental through a grant to Oral Health America , the oral health advocacy organization said today. The grant adds to a $45,000 funding pool for 2006 that Oral Health America administers through its Smiles Across Maine program in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services' Oral Health Program. Some of the sites funded are the City of Portland School Oral Health Program , Aroostook County Action Program Oral Health Education Program, and the Washington County Children's Program Child and Youth Dental Program. This is the second year that Oral Health America has provided funds to Maine school oral health programs.

“We are thrilled that Maine school-based oral health programs will be able to increase their outreach and keep children free of tooth decay, which is almost entirely preventable,” says Liz Rogers, Oral Health America 's Director of Communications. “Northeast Delta Dental's grant brings regional backing to a national program increasing oral disease prevention services to children without routine access to a dentist.”

Tooth decay remains the number one unmet childhood disease in the country, and Maine is no exception. A recent survey found that nearly half of all third graders have a history of dental decay, a bacterial infection that is five times more common than asthma and has been linked to increased risk for future tooth problems, heart disease and diabetes. Tooth decay can cause pain and result in diminished school performance.

According to the Watch Your Mouth Campaign, all of Maine 's 16 counties include groups of communities that are Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. This means thousands of kids can't get the basic health services needed to prevent dental decay because there aren't enough oral health professionals to provide those services in their area. For every dollar spent on preventive care, between $8 and $50 are saved in restorative and emergency treatment.

Oral Health America is the nation's premier independent advocacy organization dedicated to oral health. McDonald House Charities and Patterson Foundation provide additional funding for Smiles Across America.

Oral Health America is a member of the Maine Watch Your Mouth Campaign, an advocacy program designed to engage citizens to speak up for children's oral health.

CONTACT

Elizabeth Rogers, (207) 771-8824

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