Crest(R), a trusted leader in oral health, is partnering with Columbia University and The Children's Aid Society. Through this partnership, Crest will provide dental care to underprivileged families in New York as part of the Crest "Healthy Smiles 2010" program.
In conjunction with the sponsorship launch, the mobile dental vehicle will provide complimentary dental screenings to children on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Dunlevy-Milbank Center, located at 14-32 West 118th Street in New York. The mobile dental vehicle program was launched to address the oral health problems affecting children in underserved communities. Despite the fact that notable progress has been made to address the oral health needs of children, recent studies have shown that there is still much work to be done to ensure the nation's underserved youth receive equal and adequate access to the critical dental care services they need.
The dental vehicle accommodates patient visits year round, with visits at least four days per week on average. It is staffed with dentists, who provide children visiting the vehicle, full oral health services with no out-of-pocket costs such as, but not necessarily limited to, examinations, prophylaxis (cleanings), sealants, dental amalgams, composites, and other treatments. Crest supplies the dental vehicle with Crest toothpaste samples and bilingual Crest-related materials.
"P&G has always been a strong supporter of the betterment of culturally diverse communities. It is through this partnership with Columbia University and The Children's Aid Society that we are fulfilling the commitment set forth by the Crest 'Healthy Smiles 2010' program to reach 50 million children by the year 2010," asserted Sarah Irizarry, Crest assistant brand manager for the U.S. multicultural market.
To officially launch the partnership on Saturday, April 27, local Assemblymen and representatives from the Crest brand, Columbia University and The Children's Aid Society will be on-hand to provide important oral health information, along with Crest's Healthy Smiles 2010 New York Smile Ambassador and Smile Council kids. The Smile Team, an integral part of the "Healthy Smiles 2010" program, will communicate the importance of good oral health to other children via oral health tips which include, but are not limited to, brushing your teeth at least twice a day and visiting the dentist every six months. Additionally, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will also be present at the event to speak about enrollment opportunities and benefits.
"It is through the joint effort of public and private institutions that this epidemic affecting so many communities will be alleviated. We are looking forward to the road ahead and feel confident that with the support of the Crest 'Healthy Smiles 2010' program, we can further reach people in need," said Dr. Mitchell of Columbia University.
Children attending the event will have the opportunity to visit the dental vehicle and receive free dental screenings. Additionally, because changing your toothbrush at least every three months is an important part of good oral health, Crest will be giving a free toothbrush to anyone who brings in his or her old one. Families will also be able to enjoy fun games relating to oral health, where winners will receive prizes, which are aimed at improving oral health. Among the attractions will be a huge inflatable mouth where children will be invited to step inside and brush off plaque, tarter and other oral health ailments. Families will also have the opportunity to spin the Crest Wheel for great prizes.
Crest's "Healthy Smiles 2010" program was created in response to the U. S. Surgeon General's first-ever "Oral Health in America" report revealing a "silent epidemic" of oral health disease in America. Designed to address the alarming disparity in the oral health of America's minority children and their families, Crest's "Healthy Smiles 2010" program provides education, oral care tools and increased access to dental professionals to reach 50 million underprivileged children and their families across the country within the next 10 years
