Tom's of Maine to give $100K to 5 dental clinics

Jan 27, 2010

Tom's of Maine is taking an online vote to determine which five U.S. dental clinics should split $100,000 in project sponsorship funding as part of its annual Dental Health for All program. The program was created to award dental clinics that make a difference in their communities by ensuring underserved communities have access to oral healthcare, according to the company.

The following 16 clinics applied for funding and were chosen as finalists based on the positive impact and achievability of the project submitted:

Penobscot Community Health Care, Bangor, ME
St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island, North Providence, RI
Holland Free Health Clinic, Holland, MI
Family Health Centers of San Diego, San Diego, CA
Families First Health & Support Center, Portsmouth, NH
Esperanza Health Center, Philadelphia, PA
Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Boston, MA
Apple Tree Dental, Minneapolis, MN
Spanish Catholic Center, Washington, DC
Community Healthcare Network, New York City, NY
Dientes Dental Clinic, Santa Cruz, CA
Visiting Nurse Association of Fox Valley, Aurora, IL
Manos De Cristo, Austin, TX
Neighborcare Health, Seattle, WA
Pacific University School of Dental Health Science, Forest Grove, OR
Piedmont Health Services, Carrboro, NC

The clinics are featured on Tom's of Maine Web site, with information and videos about their efforts to provide quality access to dental care in their communities. Visitors to the site can vote to determine which five clinics will receive $20,000 each in funding.

"Given the current economic situation, more and more families are dependent upon their local nonprofit clinics for quality, low-cost dental care," said Kate Bussell of Tom's of Maine. "That is why it is so important that these clinics receive adequate funding so they can continue to play a vital role in their communities. We think that a vote will educate and engage the public about their outstanding efforts."