OHA Gala $500,000

CHICAGO, Illinois--Oral Health America, a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1955 with headquarters in Chicago, raised nearly $500,000 at its 21st Annual Gala and Benefit Feb. 23, 2011, at Chicago’s Field Museum. To read more about OHA, go to OHA.Some 840 guests mixed, mingled, and danced under tempered glass, metal fixtures, grand stone columns, antique light fixtures, and a Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur skeleton while participating in an auction and raffle to benefit OHA’s programs that bring healthy mouths to life. “Many, many thanks are due to the hundreds of enthusiastic guests and sponsors who helped us raise a record level of support for our work,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO, Oral Health America. “Your presence here tonight has provided OHA the opportunity to connect the oral health community and elevate the health of society.” At the event, OHA paid special tribute to the companies and organizations that have donated more than $1 million each. They included the American Dental Association, DENTSPLY International, Henry Schein, Procter & Gamble, Wm. Wrigley Jr., Co., W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the newest million dollar donor, Trident.“These companies and foundation are true leaders—not just in our midst, but for the country as a whole”, said Dr. Keith Suchy, chair, Oral Health America. “They recognize the importance of oral health to overall health—and they take action!” In 2011, Oral Health America broke records. Gala sponsors were DentaQuest, Patterson Dental, Ivoclar Vivadent, Carestream Dental, DENTSPLY International, Colgate-Palmolive Co., Midmark, 1-800-DENTIST, Henry Schein Dental, Chicago Dental Society, Belmont Publications, SciCan, Philips Sonicare, Atlantic Precious Metal Refining, Unilever, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Beazley, DentalEZ Group, Burkhart Dental Supply, ConFirm Monitoring Systems/Crosstex, Argen Corporation, GC America, OralDNA Labs, Karwoski & Courage Public Relations, and Bisco. OHA’s mission is to change lives by connecting communities with resources to increase access to oral health care, education and advocacy for Americans, especially those most vulnerable. Sign up for OHA’s eNewsletter at oralhealthamerica.org, become OHA fans on Facebook, and follow our Tweets at Smile4health.For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.To comment on this topic, go to community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/.