Tom's of Maine awards $100,000 to help five states increase access to dental care

Tom’s of Maine is awarding $20,000 to five non-profit clinics for a total of $100,000 to provide dental care in areas with the highest percentage of their population living under the poverty level, including Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C.

The Tom’s of Maine Dental Health for All Program aims to create greater access to oral care. As part of a steadfast commitment to healthy and human goodness, Tom’s of Maine has supported Dental Health for All for more than a decade. To date, Dental Health for All has helped make 200,000 additional patient visits possible with $1 million in funding to more than 30 school and community-based dental clinics.

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This year, the following non-profit organizations will each receive $20,000 to help increase access to oral care for people who otherwise will go without:

Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center – Clarksdale, Miss.
“With over 40 percent of our children in poverty, there is a decreased priority on oral healthcare. Therefore, many children fail to get the care needed and end up with chronic health problems later in life. We are elated to receive the Tom's of Maine funding because it will help us reduce disparities by providing mobile clinic services at schools and communities that lack access to oral health services,” said Aurelia Jones-Taylor, CEO.

Ben Archer Health Center – Hatch, N.M.
“We are delighted to be selected by Tom’s of Maine for funds to purchase a panoramic x-ray machine for our new health center. We can’t thank them enough for their help. We will put the equipment to good use by providing dental services to the many underserved people in our area,” said Mary Alice Garay, executive director.

Christ Health Center – Birmingham, Ala.
"Each day we receive more and more requests for new patient appointments. Receiving funds from Tom’s of Maine Dental Health for All will allow us to increase our patient visits by more than 640 a year, which means that we can serve more patients in our community and surrounding communities needing quality, comprehensive discounted dental care," said Luke Powell, DMD.

HealthPoint Family Care – Covington, Ky.
“Taking a portable dental office with clinical staff directly to low-income and uninsured students at their schools removes nearly all the barriers children have to receiving oral health care. The Tom’s of Maine funding will help make this possible," said Chris Goddard, CEO.

Kids Smiles, Inc. – Washington, D.C.
“Kids Smiles is thrilled to receive this important funding from Tom’s of Maine, which recognizes the critical need for oral health care for our most vulnerable children. We appreciate their trust in our work, which will have a significant impact on the children of Washington, D.C., who cannot always access quality dental care. By bringing screening, prevention and restorative services to children at school, we are not only enhancing their oral health, but their overall health," said Cheryl Janssen, CEO and executive director.

“This year, we saw nearly double the amount of applications from clinics, which tells us that the need for access to oral care is growing,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine. “These clinics are life-changing for children and adults alike who rely on them for basic and often urgent oral care. We find the work of the clinic staff inspiring and truly making a difference in the quality of the lives they touch. We hope our funding helps to reach more people and to keep these vital dental clinics active in the community.”

For more information on the winning clinics, visit www.tomsofmaine.com.