value=”https://www.youtube.com/v/Lim6XCJJbkI?fs=1&hl=en_US”> >High above Los Angeles on August 10th, 2010, a carnival-themed, family-oriented event was hosted at the London West Hollywood‘s rooftop by Trident and Smiles Across America (SAA) to promote children’s oral health. Guests, including some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities, pledged to chew sugarless gum to protect not only their smiles, but more importantly, for those who need it most by helping to raise awareness for this important cause.
Funds for In-School Dental Care
Trident and Smiles Across America (SAA) joined actor Chris O’Donnell, star of NCIS: Los Angeles, in a nationwide “Chews to Smile” campaign to raise awareness and funding for in-school dental services to promote good oral health among our nation’s youth. Other celebrity attendees ‘chews-ing to smile’ were as follows: Gilles Marini, Marissa Jaret Winokur and James Denton.
Chris O' Donnell at "Chews to Smile" event.
Tooth Decay in Children on Rise
Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America, affecting nearly half of second graders and almost 80 percent of 17 year-olds? Despite this, nearly three in four (74%) American parents don’t consider tooth decay to be a chronic childhood disease.
Gilles Marini, Marissa Jaret Winokur and James Denton.
Trident Cares
Gilles Marini with his family.
Trident, in its continued commitment to fight this preventable disease, is entering its second year of a three-year commitment to Smiles Across America (SAA), a non-profit signature program of Oral Health America that helps children by creating facilities in underserved communities around the country to provide much needed dental care.
Smiles Across America Mission
Oral Health America’s (OHA) Smiles Across America (SAA) program links local governments, businesses, and funders with care providers and schools to help fight untreated oral disease. SAA offers resources and technical assistance to help communities build infrastructure for school oral health services, particularly those that provide dental sealants. The program supports services to over 90,000 children annually and helps communities respond to the critical need for oral disease prevention and oral health promotion.
James Denton with his children.
Launched in partnership with public schools and community oral health providers in 2004, SAA has provided over $1.1 million in grant support to programs in Maine, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties (CA). SAA funding for oral disease prevention services to uninsured and underinsured children allows communities to leverage resources and expand programs. The program includes communications and marketing strategies to underscore the message that oral health is critical to overall health.
