Patterson Dental and the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) have launched a yearlong initiative to raise funds for Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America® (SAA) program. SAA coordinates dental care and prevention services for underserved children and promotes oral health in communities.
On behalf of Patterson Dental and AADOM, OHA President and CEO Beth Truett announced the joint fundraising campaign, called “A Future to Smile About,” at the 25th OHA Gala & Benefit in Chicago on February 25. Gala attendees also celebrated OHA’s 60 years of improving oral health.
Through “A Future to Smile About,” Patterson Dental and AADOM will each donate $50 to OHA for every AADOM annual membership purchased by dental practices February 25, 2015, through January 31, 2016. Patterson Dental Vice President of Marketing, Merchandise Tim Rogan commented, “At Patterson Dental we are excited to work with AADOM and dental practices to expand support for Oral Health America’s important work for our youth who face barriers to receiving dental care and prevention services. At this special time we also congratulate and thank Oral Health America for their work to increase access to oral health care and education for 60 years.”
Rogan noted that through “A Future to Smile About,” dental practices have a unique opportunity to give back to their industry while also benefiting their dental teams. “As practitioners give the gift of continuing education, practice management resources and networking opportunities to their office manager or business teams through AADOM memberships, they’re also giving the gift of oral health and teaching prevention skills that our youth will have for life.”
Patterson Companies Chairman and CEO Scott Anderson, and Patterson Companies Vice President and CFO Ann Gugino, who serves on the OHA board of directors, also attended the gala. At last year’s event Patterson Companies was recognized for providing over $1 million in cash contributions to OHA, along with in-kind donations such as products, printing services and delivery of OHA campaign materials to Patterson Dental customers.
Dental teams interested in purchasing AADOM memberships may easily do so through www.afuturetosmileabout.com, which features complete campaign information. Using the promotion code “OHA15” will ensure the membership is counted as part of the fundraising campaign. Patterson Dental will be driving support for “A Future to Smile About” through multiple media channels all year.
Through the financial support of Patterson, AADOM and many others, Smiles Across America reaches over 460,000 children each year in schools and school-based settings.
