Philips Oral Healthcare announced a pledge of $250,000 to the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation's Gerald M. Bowers Endowment Fund for the American Board of Periodontology. The announcement was made at the Foundation Gala in New Orleans last month, where Philips/Sonicare was lead sponsor.
Joel Berg, vice president for clinical affairs for Philips, who made the announcement, characterized the pledge as "a demonstration of our commitment to your membership, to the specialty of periodontology and to the embetterment of the patients you care for."
He added: "As the AAP Foundation continues to bring science into practice via education, we will be there to support you and congratulate you in your accomplishments." It has been a long and, for both parties, rewarding partnership: Philips introduced its leading dental care product, Sonicare, at the American Academy of Periodontology annual meeting in Orlando 10 years ago.
"We are very appreciative of this extraordinary gift," said Donald S. Clem, III, DDS, president of the AAP Foundation. "Because the Bowers Fund will be used to support board certification, this gift links Philips' commitment to continual education with the Foundation's mission of improving the periodontal health of the public."
The Gerald M. Bowers Endowment Fund for the ABP is a 5-year, $1.5 million campaign launched in October 2001. Interest from the Fund will be used to extend board certification opportunities and incorporate online technologies. The Fund currently stands at just over $1 million.
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. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
