Tooth decay is one of the most common yet preventable chronic childhood diseases in the US and according to the reports from the US Surgeon General, children from low-income families are twice as likely to suffer from this disease. If left untreated, oral diseases in children may lead to serious general health problems and significant pain, interference with eating, overuse of emergency rooms, and lost school time.
To help combat the negative effects of tooth decay among America's underserved children, Plackers, makers of the first disposable dental flosser and a leading brand of consumer oral care products, announced today its continued partnership with Oral Health America (OHA), a national, charitable non-profit dedicated to increasing access to oral health care for vulnerable Americans.
Through their partnership in 2010, the two organizations were able to help provide access to dental care, services and products for thousands of children across the US. This year, they plan to help even more children in underserved communities through OHA's nationally-renowned oral disease prevention initiatives - Smiles Across America (SAA) and Fall for Smiles.
"Plackers' contributions allow OHA to provide essential community programs that help provide uninsured and underserved children with greater access to oral disease prevention services, oral health products and education," said Beth Truett, Oral Health America's President and CEO. "We look forward to another great year with Plackers, and we are grateful for their continued support in helping us reach out to underserved communities and school oral health programs across the country."
This year, Plackers is also sponsoring the first Smiles Across America Innovation Grants - an SAA-affiliated program that awards monetary grants to five SAA community partners in recognition of their innovative methods for delivering oral health preventative services to children at increased risk of oral disease.
"Plackers is thrilled to continue supporting Oral Health America's Smiles Across America and Fall for Smiles programs," said Tom Barman, Director of Marketing for Plackers. "Partnering with OHA is a natural opportunity for us to get involved and help support community outreach programs that help broaden and raise awareness of dental health issues in the US."
In addition to providing financial support for OHA's Smiles Across America and Fall for Smiles programs, Plackers will donate more than 100,000 Plackers Micro Mint dental flossers to help support OHA's programs and community partners. Plackers' Micro Mint flosser features its patented Super Tuffloss that is engineered not to stretch, shred or break during use, and has been clinically proven to remove more plaque than nylon and PTFE-based floss.
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