Grant from Patterson Foundation Expands Oral Health America Program

August 19, 2008

CHICAGO—The Patterson Foundation has awarded a grant of $75,000 to Oral Health America in support of its expanding Smiles Across America program, which provides technical assistance and resources to improve the oral health and well-being of uninsured children and families who do not have routine dental care. The program supports services to over 90,000 children annually and helps communities respond to the critical need for oral disease prevention and oral health promotion.

Oral Health America's program, launched in partnership with public schools and community oral health providers four years ago, has provided over $1 million for free oral disease prevention services to uninsured and underinsured children, and allows communities to leverage resources to sustain and expand programs.

George Rhodes, Oral Health America Board Member and recently retired Vice President of Corporate Communications and Professional Relations at DENTSPLY, said, “We deeply appreciate this grant, which allows us to continue the important work of expanding needed oral health care and education. School oral health programs are a critical point of contact for children without regular access to a dental care provider.”

Smiles Across America currently reaches eight regions of the country: Maine , New York City , Philadelphia , West Virginia , Chicago , Minnesota , Las Vegas , and Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties (CA). The Smiles Across America Product Donation Program has provided 723,790 dental sealants for 192,670 children nationwide since 1997. Oral Health America 's outreach efforts have been successful because of the generosity of Patterson Foundation and Patterson Dental, and many other donors from within and outside the dental industry including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Aetna Dental, DENTSPLY International, Trident, 3M ESPE, Pulpdent, Sunstar Americas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CONTACT: Liz Rogers (207) 771-8824

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