Advantica and Charity Works Partner to Provide Economically Disadvantaged Students with Oral Health Education and Dental Supplies

CLEARWATER, Fla., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantica, an integrated dental and vision benefits provider based in Clearwater, Florida and Charity Works, Inc., a nonprofit intermediary, announced today their partnership in providing all elementary students in Pinellas County Title 1 Schools with dental supplies to support the students' oral health and wellness needs. 

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110311/FL63798LOGO )

Advantica is supporting Charity Works' Give Hope USA™ wellness-medical aid program by providing the toothbrushes and printed educational materials for dental kits. With other individual contributors, over 19,000 students will receive supplies for the kits, including a 6 ounce tube of toothpaste.  Each school is offered the opportunity to turn the process of the dental kit assembly into a learning experience and at the end of the day each student can take their dental kit home.     

"The Give Hope USA program was launched in 2010 and continues to thrive today through the support of local businesses, like Advantica, many individual donors and local volunteers." shared Chris R. Renfrow, President and CEO of Charity Works, Inc.

Earlier in the year, Advantica also supported the program by participating on a judging panel in which the students presented their own, uniquely created Public Service Announcements to promote good dental hygiene. Advantica supplied the winning school with a year's supply of toothbrushes and educational materials.  Charity Works' delivered the grand prize to Melrose Elementary in the first of four planned distributions in 2012.    

"Our support of the Charity Works' Give Hope USA program is a part of our continued corporate effort to support the local community and promote good oral health as a vital part of a person's total health," commented Richard Sanchez, Advantica's President.

About Charity Works^®

CharityWorks is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and has been a leader in providing purchasing advisory services to the philanthropic community since its founding in 1996. Working with donors, vendors, and nonprofit organizations, Charity Works maximizes the value and use of charitable funds and resources. Charity Works' primary focus is to promote charitable giving, channel assistance to families and individuals in duress or crisis, and reduce the disparities that adversely affect the health and well-being of those most in need. For more information or to support Charity Works' community initiatives, visit www.charityworks.org.

About Advantica

Advantica—See…Smile…Live. Advantica is one of the fastest growing ancillary benefit providers in the nation today, serving nearly 3 million members. With specialized expertise, Advantica offers best-in-class, integrated vision care and dental benefits to employer groups, Medicare/Medicaid health plans and commercial carriers. Advantica is dedicated to minimizing costs and improving quality of care. Advantica prides itself on having the administrative flexibility to implement effective total wellness management programs, tailored to the needs of virtually any organization. For more information on Advantica, visit www.advanticabenefits.com.

SOURCE Advantica