Patterson Foundation grant expands Oral Health America program

CHICAGO, Illinois--The Patterson Foundation has awarded a $75,000 grant to Oral Health America in support of its expanding Smiles Across America program.

The Smiles Across America program provides technical assistance and resources to improve the oral health and well-being of uninsured children and families who do not have routine dental care.

The program supports services to more than 90,000 children annually and helps communities respond to the critical need for oral disease prevention and oral health promotion.

Oral Health America's program, launched in partnership with public schools and community oral-health providers four years ago, has provided more than $1 million for free oral disease prevention services to uninsured and underinsured children, and allows communities to leverage resources to sustain and expand programs.

George Rhodes, Oral Health America's interim president and CEO, said, "We deeply appreciate this grant, which allows us to continue the important work of expanding needed oral-health care and education. School oral-health programs are a critical point of contact for children without regular access to a dental care provider."

More information is available at Oral Health America.

To read more about Oral Health America, go to Oral Health America.

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