To commemorate Dental Health Week 2012 (August 6-12), the Australian Dental Association Foundation, in partnership with the Wrigley Company Foundation, has awarded $60,000 U.S. in community service grants.
The grants were awarded to these 10 organizations:
- Dental Outreach
- University of Queensland and Mission Australia
- Kimberley Dental Team
- University of Western Australia Dental Students Society
- Tooth Mob (Charlie Perkins Trust)
- Hope 4 Health (Griffith University)
- New Horizons and James Cook University
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance
- Peninsula Health
- Queensland Health (Cairns and Hinterland)
"With dental decay and gum disease two of the most common adverse health conditions in
Australia, it's all the more alarming that 90% of dental disease is in fact preventable," said Peter Cronin, chairman of the foundation's advisory board, in a press release.
In 2011, seven grantees recruited more than 75 volunteers to provide over 4,000 treatments to 1,400 patients, he added.
Facilitated by Give2Asia, the 2012 Community Service Grants encourage dentists, dental students, and teams of allied dental professionals to implement oral health community service and education in high-risk populations throughout Australia, including the indigenous, homeless, special needs, low-income, and elderly.
