School Oral Health Programs Benefit from Local Toothbrush Maker

SCHOOL ORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS BENEFIT

FROM LOCAL TOOTHBRUSH MAKER

Sunstar Butler Supports Children’s Oral and Overall Health

CHICAGO-School children in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood can expect a new toothbrush as part of school oral health services supported by Chicago-based national advocacy group Oral Health America.  The organization is the recipient of a multi-pronged donation from Sunstar Butler, including children’s toothbrushes and cups of NuCare Prophy Paste. 

“Sunstar Butler’s longstanding support for our programs allows us to help thousands of children learn the connection between healthy teeth and gums and a healthy life,” said Robert Klaus, Oral Health America’s President and CEO.  “We are truly grateful for their donation.”

Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program collaborates with the Chicago Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) school oral health program and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to build infrastructure for on-going school oral health services.  Last week in Chicago, the City Council signed off on a renewed agreement between CDPH and CPS that will effectively expand oral health services to as many as 400,000 students in some 600 elementary schools, at no charge to the children and their families.  The services take place in schools, and include the placement of dental sealants, which can be easily and painlessly applied to the chewing surfaces of molar teeth to prevent decay.   The process takes approximately three to five minutes per child. 

Through Sunstar Butler and others, Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program leverages dental product donations and equipment, provides funding for uninsured students, expands public/private partnerships, and helps raise awareness of oral health’s importance to overall health.  Smiles Across America supports school oral health programming in seven regions including Chicago, Maine, Las Vegas, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties (CA), New York City and West Virginia.  Ronald McDonald House Charities, Patterson Foundation, Trident, DENTSPLY, 3-M ESPE and Sunstar Butler are the program’s primary sponsors.

Oral Health America is the nation’s premier, independent advocacy organization dedicated to improving oral health for all Americans.  Find out more online at www.oralhealthamerica.org.  Sunstar Butler’s contribution to the organization also included support for health messaging for over 250,000 children and families at the Little League World Series through Oral Health America’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program. 

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