Oral Health America (OHA) received a $50,000 grant from Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals to help expand its Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth workshop.
The workshop launched in the Chicago area in 2014 and is designed to teach adults 65 and older about managing their oral healthcare needs. With the support from Colgate, the program will expand to Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and Minnesota.
"The older adult population in the United States is expanding rapidly," stated Beth Truett, OHA president and CEO, in a press release. "The support from Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals is critical to being able to expand this workshop, which will allow us to further engage our target audience with this vital information."
Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals will provide continuing credits to dental hygienists who complete training to conduct the workshops and oral care products to the workshop participants. Colgate is also sponsoring OHA's participation in the American Dental Hygienists' Association Community Service Day on June 17.
"Colgate is delighted to be in partnership with Oral Health America and dental hygienists around the country to help improve the oral health of older Americans," stated Barbara Shearer, BDS, MDS, PhD, director of scientific affairs for Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. "This important demographic is often at an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease due to common aging conditions such as dry mouth. Increasing awareness around these risk factors and the importance of proper oral health is pivotal."
