Hygiene Tribune

HYGIENE TRIBUNE | August/september 2011 News 3C at a special award cocktail reception at RDH Under One Roof 2012 in Las Vegas, tribute in dental trade media news announcements, and an exclu- sive trip to P&G headquarters. So those who know worthy “pros” should help give them the recog- nition they deserve by nominating them today! From July 2011 to April 2012, nom- inations can be submitted via www. prosintheprofession.com or at the Crest Oral-B booth at upcoming den- tal conventions. In order to be con- sidered for the program, nominees must meet the following criteria: • Registered Dental Hygienists f HT page 1C with two-plus years of practice experience after graduation from dental hygiene school. • Registered Dental Hygienists with community service involve- ment. • General volunteer/non-oral- health-specific examples are wel- come, but oral-health-related volun- teer experience is preferred. • Registered Dental Hygienists with examples of work that go above and beyond the call of duty. Examples include: excellent patient relations/special care/retain- ment; involvement in research and/ or clinical experience; published work(s); and the ability to generate additional business for their prac- tice. “The awards are a testament to the contributions of dental hygien- ists across the country, and bring much-needed visibility to our pro- fession,” said Sharon C. Stull, BSDH, MS, one of five award winners dur- ing last year’s inaugural program. “Having been chosen as one of the ‘Pros in the Profession,’ I am thrilled that Crest Oral-B under- stands that dental hygienists are an integral part of the dental health- care team and the positive health outcomes for each patient we treat.” Through the Pros in the Profes- sion program, Crest Oral-B already recognized five extraordinary Reg- istered Dental Hygienists who have each made a positive impact for their community and profession. The year-one winners — Ann Ben- son, Trudy Meinberg, Mary Lynne Murray-Ryder, Linda Maciel and Sharon Stull — were rewarded with a special award cocktail reception at this year’s ADHA Annual Meeting in Nashville, among other prizes. Read their stories at www.prosin theprofession.com. Here you can also learn more about Pros in the Profes- sion, including how to nominate a “Pro” for consideration and for rules and regulations. For information about Crest Oral- B products and resources, visit the newly revised and updated www. dentalcare.com website. HT Tooth decay is one of the most common yet preventable chronic childhood diseases in the United States, and according to the reports from the U.S. 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 — maker of the first dis- posable dental flosser and a lead- ing brand of consumer oral care products — announced on Aug. 23 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 den- tal care, services and products for thousands of children across the United States. 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 com- munity programs that help pro- vide uninsured and underserved children with greater access to oral disease prevention services, oral health products and educa- tion,” said Beth Truett, Oral Health America’s president and CEO. “We look forward to another great year with Plackers, and we are grate- ful for their continued support in helping us reach out to under- served communities and school oral health programs across the country.” This year, Plackers is also spon- soring the first Smiles Across America Innovation Grants, an SAA-affiliated program that awards monetary grants to five SAA com- munity partners in recognition of their innovative methods for deliv- ering oral health preventative ser- vices 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 commu- nity outreach programs that help broaden and raise awareness of dental health issues in the United States.” In addition to providing finan- cial 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 sup- port OHA’s programs and commu- nity partners. Plackers’ Micro Mint flosser fea- tures its patented Super Tuffloss, which 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. About Plackers Plackers, a leading brand of con- sumer oral care products is a pio- neer in dental flossers and other consumer oral care products. Hav- ing patented the first disposable dental flosser, Plackers is com- mitted to developing high-quality, affordable oral care products with innovative features that include a comprehensive line of dental flossers, dental accessories and dental night protectors, including the Grind No More Dental Night Protector. Plackers holds more than 20 patents and is sold in major retail- ers worldwide. For more informa- tion, visit www.plackers.com. About OHA Oral Health America is a national, charitable non-profit dedicated to connecting communities with resources to increase access to oral health care, education and advocacy for all Americans, espe- cially those most vulnerable. For more information, visit www.oral healthamerica.org. HT Plackers and Oral Health America team up to fight oral disease Providing access to care, education and dental products to underserved children and treatment partners An Orange County-based charity that puts smiles back on the faces of underprivileged kids in need of major orthodontic care is the first charitable organization featured as part of a unique social media cam- paign designed to inspire people to get involved with nonprofits. A documentary-style video pro- file featuring Share A Smile co- founders Mike and Kim Robertson and a few of the participating local dentists and orthodontists who volunteer their time and talents to repair youthful smiles, free of charge can now be seen on You- Tube, at www.shareasmile.com and at www.agendabe.com. The Share A Smile video is the first of dozens of video “webi- sodes” scheduled to be produced and distributed online by ama- teur cyclist Adam Benton, whose brush with death caused him to set aside his career plans to found AgendaBe, a nonprofit dedicated to helping charitable organizations tell their story virally using social media platforms, including Face- book and Twitter. “Every charity has a voice, but not every charity has a stage,” says Benton. “By providing people like Mike and Kim Robertson and orga- nizations like Share A Smile with a platform to tell their story and then sharing that message with people around the world using social media, we hope to plant a seed that ignites a movement.” “Smiles are infectious — unless it is painful or embarrassing to have one,” says Mike Robertson, founder and CEO of Ocean Media, an independent media planning and buying agency based in Hun- tington Beach, Calif., with an office in Los Angeles. “Adam’s ‘Inspire Good Tour’ provides a global stage from which we can talk about the good things Share A Smile does for kids and hopefully inspire people to get involved in our effort, learn about other charities, or share the story of their own favorite cause.” HT ‘Share A Smile’ founders, volunteer dentists featured in inaugural ‘webisode’