CHICAGO--Oral Health America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving oral health for Americans for 50 years, raised more than $170,000 through its Annual Gala Dinner and Auction Feb. 22.
This year's gala, which was attended by more than 900 people, was the largest and most successful in the event's 17-year history. The funds will be used to support educational and service programs designed to improve oral health. The next gala will be Feb. 21.
"Eighteen years ago we began the gala on a hope and $30,000 from the William Wrigley Jr. Co.," said Robert Klaus, president and CEO of Oral Health America.
"Today, that hope has produced dozens of new sponsors and pushed our net somewhere north of $170,000. Equally important, that hope translates directly into programs and services that will reach hundreds of thousands of Americans. The OHA Gala is truly a story of hope."
The Oral Health America Gala, held each year during the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, is one of the dental industry's premier networking events. The black tie optional evening features dinner, dancing, cash prize raffle, and a silent auction. This year, a live auction added to the excitement and produced additional income for the organization.
Gala Platinum Sponsors included Chicago Dental Society, DENTSPLY, Ivoclar Vivadent, Patterson Dental, SciCan, Sullivan-Schein Dental, and Mr. & Mrs. Bernard J. Beazley. Gold Sponsors included: Aetna Dental, Argen Corp., Belmont Publications Inc., Delta Dental of Massachusetts, GC America, GlaxoSmithKline, Heraeus Kulzer, National Dentex Corp., 1-800-DENTIST, Orapharma, Inc., Philips Sonicare, Tokuyama, and Unilever.
The 2007 Gala Committee included Mary J. Hayes, DDS, Event Chair, Pediatric Dental Health Associates; Richard Celko, DMD, Aetna Dental; Tom Czervionke, McCarthy Communications; Chuck Dushman, Sonrisas Plan Dental; Milly Goldstein, The Bosworth Company; Margaret Pagel, Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics; Tony Montemurro, Septodont; Pam Hemmen, Patterson Dental; Nancy Sakaduski, Sakaduski Marketing Solutions; Keith Suchy, DDS; Margaret S. Cottrell, ConFirm Monitoring Systems; Teresa May, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.; Anne Steinbock, Whip Mix Corporation; Candy Ross, Gendex/DEXIS LLC; Bernard J. Beazley, Event Chair Emeritus; Joseph Donohue, Oral Health America; and Alison Hayes, Oral Health America.
