ORAL HEALTH AMERICA BRINGING HEALTHY MOUTHS TO LIFE
FALL 201 2
DEAR FRIENDS OF OHA, This August, the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives coalition, in
Marking Milestones With Smiles Smiles Across America® (SAA) partners have
“I am extremely grateful to be a part of this
kicked-off another school year, ready to bring
amazing organization and all of the individuals
partnership with the Ad Council, Grey
needed oral health care to students across the
from staff, the Board of Trustees, volunteers,
Advertising, and Wing, launched the
country. Several programs are preparing to
donors, agencies, and families who have
Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign. OHA
expand their services, including an SAA partner
made a significant impact on KIND. Making a
in Portland, Maine. The Children’s Oral Health
difference in a child’s smile is what Kids In Need
Program recently received a grant from OHA
of Dentistry (KIND) is all about,” said Executive
to expand the health center currently at King
Director Julie Collett.
committed to a leadership role within the coalition, which includes 35 dental organizations, and we are proud to be
Middle School, with renovations completed just
a part of this groundbreaking effort to
before the current school year.
encourage parents and caregivers to
“The renovation has been in the works for more
children most at risk for developing dental disease.
emphasize the importance of oral health
than a year, so we are very excited that it finally
SAA identifies promising, local community efforts
for children. Visit 2MIN2X.ORG for
happened!” said Kathy Martin, coordinator for
and supports the development and expansion
the Children’s Oral Health Program. The on-site
of programs, with an emphasis on disease
a peek at the PSAs and to learn more
SAA increases access to dental services in schoolbased and school-linked settings for 400,000
center offers sealants, prophys, and fluoride
prevention. SAA supports community efforts
about the campaign and how you can
treatments and is working with Community
through grant funding, donated dental product
get involved.
Dental to have a dentist at the center.
and by providing technical assistance.
With gratitude for your continued support,
In Colorado, SAA Partner, Kids In Need of
To stay up-to-date on everything going on with
Dentistry (KIND) is celebrating a different
SAA, visit OHA’s website and sign up for our
achievement—their 100th anniversary.
monthly enewsletter.
President and CEO
ORALHEALTHAMERICA.ORG
IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH IN BUFFALO, NY The Wisdom Tooth Project® Funds Oral Medicine Pilot With the help of Ivoclar Vivadent, Oral Health America provided the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM) a $15,000 seed grant to pilot a series of Oral Medicine Clinics for adults. The clinics began in January 2012, and will run through December 2012. On Saturday, September 8, OHA joined UBSDM along with Ivoclar Vivadent to witness the inspiring work provided to the Buffalo community. Led by Dean Michael Glick and Dr. Paul Creighton, the mission of the clinic is to bridge the oral health care of medically complex patients, linking the foundational knowledge of medicine with dentistry. The focus is on the diagnosis and management of medically related disorders or conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. Dental-trained clinicians work closely with other medical and dental specialists to provide the best quality of care using a multidisciplinary approach. Patients are warmly welcomed into the clinic by UBSDM’s Team Smiles and are directed to several different stations. Depending upon the needs of the patient, they
“We are very proud to be part of Oral Health America’s Wisdom Tooth initiative. I truly believe that we as a profession need to stand up and take action for our elderly population. People who have helped others all their lives now need help. Piloting a project here in our home town with OHA and the University at Buffalo Dental School has been especially gratifying.” - GEORGE TYSOWSKY, VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY, IVOCLAR VIVADENT
have access to dental professionals, including general dentists, oral surgeons and hygienists; medical doctors; a pharmacologist; and a diabetes educator. At the completion of their visit, they have the opportunity to meet with a social worker from the CARES (Counseling Advocacy Referral Education Service) Program to discuss the continuation of their care, their concerns and any barriers that might be present.
“OHA’s Wisdom Tooth Project is committed to connecting communities with resources to meet the oral health needs of the growing older adult population. After witnessing firsthand the success of the clinic, OHA is thrilled to expand this project.” - BETH TRUETT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ORAL HEALTH AMERICA
THE WISDOM TOOTH PROJECT PORTAL IS OFFICIALLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION After much planning and consideration, OHA is thrilled to announce that the Wisdom Tooth Project® portal is on its way. Blue State Digital began construction on the site in August, with a beta version expected to be available late this year. The portal aims to provide oral health information to the American public specifically about care of geriatric patients. A special thank you to the DentaQuest Foundation, the principal donor for the WTP, for providing the funds that make this possible. Members of the Special Care Dentistry Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association are busy writing articles to populate the site with content. To keep up with the production of the site or if you are interested in providing content, visit the Wisdom Tooth Project webpage at OR A LH EA LTH A M ER IC A .OR G
OHA GATHERS SUPPORTERS ON CAPITOL HILL Family Economic Security and Oral Health Oral Health America, the Dental Trade Alliance (DTA), and nearly 100 supporters assembled on Capitol Hill on Sept. 12 to address the impact of our nation’s economy on the overall health and well-being of American families. The event is part of Fall for Smiles, OHA’s annual communications campaign that educates Americans about healthy food choices, avoiding tobacco, brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting a dental professional at least twice yearly. According to a survey commissioned by OHA and sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Procter & Gamble, Americans are more likely to take a pain killer for a toothache than to consult a dentist, making this year’s campaign and Capitol Hill event even more critical. At the event, OHA and the DTA recognized U.S. Senator Robert Mendez (D-NJ) for his leadership in policy changes that help emphasize the importance of oral health throughout the country. For more information about Fall for Smiles visit: OR A L H EA LTH A M ER IC A .OR G/FA LLFOR S M ILES
L E AV IN G A L EG AC Y OF HE ALTH Y SMILES Making a planned gift can be a wonderful way to support Oral Health America and make an impact. A planned gift from the late Bernard and Kathleen Beazley now funds an internship program in their names, which provides one rising undergraduate senior a unique experience with public health dentistry and oral health leadership each summer. For information about making a planned gift, contact Development Director Brad McLoughlin at (312) 836-9900.
TO BAC C O STRI K E S O U T W IT H NSTE P & T HE L IT TL E L E AG U E WO R LD SE R I E S This year’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program® (NSTEP) slogan contest winner was Stone Huffman from Mechanicsburg, Pa., who coined the phrase, “Let’s play ball, you make the call . . . don’t chew tobacco!” Stone won a trip with his family to the Little
HE L P OHA , TAK E A SURVEY ! Aspen Dental
is currently conducting an online survey of
licensed dentists, asking about career decision-making. For every survey completed, Aspen will donate $3 to OHA. Keep an eye out for this survey and help OHA bring healthy mouths to life!
League World Series, throwing out the first pitch at Tuesday afternoon’s games. Congratulations, Stone! P R I N T I N G G E N E R O U S LY D O N AT E D B Y :
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PATTERSON DENTAL
180 Nor th Michigan Ave. Ste. 1150 Chicago, Illinois 60601
BRINGING HEALTHY MOUTHS TO LIFE FALL NEWSLETTER WWW.ORALHEALTHAMERICA.ORG
Oral Health America is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. DONATE TODAY AT
WWW.ORALHEALTHAMERICA.ORG
Oral Health America
Smile4Health
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DONORS: ARTHUR A. DUGONI
“I think OHA has been doing an exceptional job of carrying out its mission and serving the needs of oral health in this country,” said Dr. Arthur Dugoni, dean emeritus of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific and past OHA board member. “When I looked at many of OHA’s projects, they were all in best interest of oral health and of the citizens of United States.” DR. MARTIN DROZDOWICZ
Dr. Martin Drozdowicz has been a practicing dentist for 37 years and initially heard about OHA through his work with the American Dental Association in the early 1990s. “I think it’s important that people know about dentistry and get involved with it, and I think it’s a worthy cause to assist people that don’t have access to dentistry.”
VISIT WWW.ORALHEALTHAMERICA.ORG
AND DONATE TODAY