The Gerald M. Bowers Endowment Fund for the American Board of Periodontology recently received a pledge of $100,000 from OraPharma, Inc., making that company the fund's first corporate donor. The Bowers Fund for the ABP is a five-year, $1.5-million campaign that was launched last year by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation. Interest from the fund will support the activities of the certifying board and enable it to meet future challenges as they arise.
"When a donor directs this amount of money to the support of our certification process, it underscores the enormous value of board certification and the standards of excellence it represents. Ultimately, this translates to better oral health for the patients we serve," says Dr. Jack Caton, chairman of the Bowers Fund campaign.
"Today's periodontal treatments are rapidly advancing," notes Joe Zack, vice president, sales and marketing for OraPharma. "Educating dental professionals is critical in these changing times. What better culmination of the periodontist's education than to become a diplomate in periodontology? This donation is very much aligned with OraPharma's goal of partnering with the periodontal community and providing easier and more effective treatments for periodontal disease."
The American Academy of Periodontology Foundation is dedicated to improving the periodontal health of the public by increasing public and professional awareness of periodontal diseases; stimulating and supporting clinical research and the generation of new knowledge; and enhancing educational programs and opportunities in periodontology. The Foundation, headquartered in Chicago, is the philanthropic affiliate of the American Academy of Periodontology. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
