Smiles Across America® Teams Up With CHS Healthcare to Promote Healthy Mouths for Collier County Children

NAPLES, Fla., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey, 17 percent of parents report that they had a child who missed at least one day of school due to dental related pain or illness(1).  Oral Health America is committed to helping to keep children healthy and in school.  Today, Oral Health America awarded a $20,000 Smiles Across America® grant to CHS Healthcare in Collier County, FL, for a school-based dental sealant program.

"We are excited to welcome CHS Healthcare into the Smiles Across America family," said Beth Truett, President & CEO, Oral Health America. "With CHS Healthcare and community partners, we can raise public awareness and help address the unmet dental care needs of underserved children."

Oral Health America's grant is made possible through funding from the Patterson Foundation and Plackers®, a leading brand of consumer oral care products.  CHS Healthcare's sealant program is also supported by Naples Children and Education Foundation, the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and a generous grant from The Walmart Foundation.

"Patterson Foundation is pleased to support start-up school-based care for Collier County children who have not been afforded preventive care," said Gary Johnson, President, Patterson Foundation.  "We thank Oral Health America, CHS Healthcare, and others, who made this new program possible."

About Smiles Across America® (SAA)
SAA is a signature program of Oral Health America. SAA improves the health of elementary school students by supporting oral disease prevention services in schools.  For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.

About CHS Healthcare
CHS Healthcare is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a "safety net" primary health care organization. CHS provides primary medical and dental care services to over 48,000 patients each year. For information, visit www.collier.org.

About Patterson Foundation
Patterson Foundation is a private grant making foundation committed to investing in programs that strengthen communities by helping those most in need live healthy lives.

About Plackers
Plackers, a leading brand of consumer oral care products and proud sponsor of Oral Health America's Smiles Across America and Fall for Smiles programs, is a pioneer in dental flossers and other consumer oral care products. Plackers holds over 20 patents and is sold in major retailers worldwide. For more information, visit www.plackers.com.

(1) Oral Health America Survey sponsored by Dental Trade Alliance & Plackers® dental flossers, 2011

SOURCE Oral Health America

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED