Tom's of Maine announces grants to increase access to dental care
Tom's of Maine, the nation's leading maker of natural personal care products, marks the fourth year of its Dental Health for All™ program by awarding $120,000 in grants to community dental health programs in six states across the country. Total grant support for dental clinics since 2004 is now more than $670,000 and has helped more than 15,000 children and adults gain access to dental care.
Tom Chappell, CEO and cofounder of Tom's of Maine, said, "Tom's of Maine is pleased to continue its long history of partnering with consumers, nonprofit organizations, and retail partners to strengthen communities throughout the country. This year our Dental Health for All program is providing grants to eight dental clinics."
The following clinics will receive funds for long-term patient capacity improvements, operatory upgrades, and new equipment:
• San Diego, UCSD Student Run Free Dental Clinic, $15,000
• Denver, Inner City Health Center, $15,000
• Minneapolis, Apple Tree Dental, $15,000
• Schenectady, NY, Hometown Health Centers, Inc., $15,000
• Portland, OR, Pediatric Clinic, $15,000
• Cranston, RI, Comprehensive Community Action, $15,000
• Winooski, VT, Vermont Dental Care Programs, $15,000
• Seattle, Georgetown Dental Clinic, $15,000
Tom's of Maine began the Dental Health for All program in 2004 in response to the Surgeon General's report on oral health. The study found that over 120 million Americans have no dental insurance. Many wait over 12 months for an appointment at a public dental clinic, and at those clinics, it is not unusual to see three-year-olds needing multiple root canals, extractions, and stainless steel crowns. In addition, many millions more have trouble obtaining the dental care they need because they can't afford it or because they live in underserved areas where dentists are scarce or nonexistent.
To do something positive in the face of this public health issue, Tom's of Maine began the Dental Health for All program with two goals: to increase access to dental care and to educate the population about the link between oral and overall health. Since its inception, the program has made a significant impact — retailers and consumers across the country have joined Tom's in making over $670,000 worth of donations to dental clinics nationwide, helping tens of thousands of people in need receive quality, affordable dental care. Together with retailers, dental clinics, and consumers, Tom's Dental Health for All program has had a positive impact:
• 25 school- and community-based dental clinics have received grants from Tom's to increase patient capacity and improve or expand their patient services.
• Nearly 60,000 annual patient visits can now be scheduled.
• Over 238,000 tubes of free toothpaste have been given to underserved children and adults.
• Over 1800 dental offices have signed on to be Dental Health for All Professional Partners and distributed information about the program to their patients.
• The award-winning "Dental Health" episode of the Tom's-sponsored Healthy Body, Healthy Mind consumer health series has aired more than 150 times on public television in more than 106 million households across the country.
For more information about dental health issues and how you can support Dental Health for All please visit www.tomsofmaine.com.
About UCSD Student Run Free Dental Clinic, San Diego, CA
Founded in 1999 by UCSD students, the UCSD student-run Free Dental Clinic Project provides accessible, quality healthcare to the underserved communities of San Diego. Beneficiaries of this program include approximately 1,000 patients from underserved and diverse groups within San Diego County, who receive over $800,000 worth of needed dental care at no cost. All of the clinics serve the working poor and homeless in their areas.
The Tom's of Maine grant for $15,000 will be used to purchase new equipment for the clinic. It is estimated that this funding will enable the clinic to accommodate an additional 500 patient visits annually. (167 patients=500 visits)
About Inner City Health Center, Denver, CO
The Inner City Health Center is a not-for-profit, volunteer based medical and dental clinic that provides dental care to over 2,000 patients a year. Approximately 60% of these patients live at or below the federal poverty level, and 65% are uninsured.
The Tom's of Maine grant for $15,000 will be utilized to increase the clinic's hygiene services, and the dental clinic estimates that this project will provide for an additional 384 dental visits annually.
About Apple Tree Dental, Minneapolis, MN
People with special needs face greater barriers and have even fewer dental care options than other low income people who lack access to dental care. Apple Tree Dental Clinics provide outpatient services to low-income families and children, persons with disabilities, and the frail elderly. The clinics have much larger than usual treatment rooms designed to accommodate people who use wheelchairs. In 2005, staff provided 45,096 dental visits to 13,897 patients. In 2005, 73% of dental visits were provided to patients covered by Medicaid and other public programs, and 12% were to people without dental insurance.
The Tom's of Maine grant of $15,000 will be used to purchase two portable, handheld X-ray machines. It is estimated that the clinic will be able to schedule as many as 9,000 additional patient visits as a part of the expansion related to this purchase. (3,000 patients=9,000 visits)
About Hometown Health Centers, Inc., Schenectady, NY
Since its founding, Schenectady Family Health Services (now Hometown Health Centers) has been located at the center of Hamilton Hill, the poorest and neediest neighborhood in Schenectady. The populace is comprised mainly of the middle class, lower middle class, and the working poor, with more than 40% of its residents living at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Currently more than 9,567 patients are served per year at the center, with over 80% of these being uninsured or on Medicaid/Medicare.
In November 2005, Hometown Health Centers moved into a new, larger center at the intersection of two main transportation arteries. The Tom's of Maine grant of $15,000 will be used to nearly fully cover the cost of equipping an operatory. It is estimated that the clinic will be able to schedule as many as 2,100 additional patient visits. (1,000 patients=2,100 visits)
About Pediatric Clinic (Oregon Health and Science University), Portland, OR
The OHSU School of Dentistry Dental Clinic sees between 1,500 and 2,000 clients annually. 35% of these clients live at or below the federal poverty level, and 54% of these clients are uninsured.
A new pediatric dentistry residency program was recently made possible at the School of Dentistry by a generous estate gift. The School of Dentistry is using this bequest for student and resident scholarships and facility enhancement to build one of the nation's finest pediatric dentistry programs.
The Tom's of Maine grant for $15,000 will enable OHSU to purchase digital x-ray sensors and a laptop for the Hospital OR.
About Comprehensive Community Action, Inc., Cranston, RI
Comprehensive Community Action's programs are designed to meet the needs and interests of the low-income and disadvantaged residents of Cranston and surrounding communities, including Scituate, Foster, Coventry, Providence, North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield. Comprehensive Community Action plans to open two dental clinics: one in Cranston and one in Warwick. These facilities will be part of existing community-based health centers, currently providing care to more than 5,500 patients annually.
The Tom's of Maine grant of $15,000 will be used to help equip an operatory. It is estimated that the clinic will be able to schedule an additional 1,800 visits. (600 patients=1,800 visits)
About Georgetown Dental Clinic (Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Center), Seattle, WA
The Georgetown Dental Clinic is one of the principal providers of affordable dental care in King County. One of five dental sites for Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Center, the Georgetown Clinic meets a particularly critical need: dental care for uninsured adults. Each year the Georgetown Dental Clinic provides 2,599 people with over 8,000 dental visits. 78% of the patients have incomes below 100% of poverty, 73% are uninsured, and 24% have Medicaid coverage. The clinic serves many special populations, including migrant and seasonal farm workers, patients living with HIV/AIDS, the homeless, and immigrants and refugees. Though each patient is asked to pay what he or she can, this is rarely enough to meet the expenses of services provided. As a result, Georgetown Dental Clinic provides more than $721,000 worth of uncompensated care each year.
The Tom's of Maine grant for $15,000 will enable Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Center to purchase new equipment as part of a clinic upgrade. The clinic estimates this project will make possible an additional 480 patient visits. (160 patients=480 visits)
About Vermont Dental Care Programs, Winooski, VT
Vermont Dental Care Programs is a 34-year-old nonprofit agency with over 12,000 active patients. In the 1970s there was an urgent need for dental care in Winooski, particularly for children without the financial means to pay for care. Vermont Dental Care partnered with city and state agencies to meet that need, and has since expanded from a mobile unit to a fully established office space. Of their patients, 76% are living below the poverty level, and 76% are covered by Medicaid or are reduced fee/uninsured.
The clinic has received a grant of $15,000 from Tom's of Maine to help a clinic relocation project. Money will be utilized for overall construction and equipment costs.
