Oral Health Support for Most Vulnerable Communities

Media Release

Wrigley Company Foundation in Partnership with the New Zealand Dental Association Announces Three Year Community Service Grant Programme

Additional Oral Health Support for New Zealand and Pacific’s Most Vulnerable Communities

Auckland, 23 April 2013 – Following the success of its inaugural 2012 community service grant programme for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the Wrigley Company Foundation in partnership with the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is pleased to announce a three year funding commitment and a significant new grant for a large scale project.

Between 2013 and 2015, the Wrigley Company Foundation will invest USD$84,000, available to both community minded dentists and dental students to implement oral health community service projects in vulnerable and under serviced communities.

Kate Morton, Wrigley’s New Zealand Country Manager, says the Wrigley Company Foundation and the NZDA are building on the success of the community grants’ maiden year, and aiming to reach some of the many New Zealanders who avoid going to the dentist.

“Last year, Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA Community Service Grant recipients recruited approximately 30 volunteer dentists and dental therapists, 213 dental assistants, as well as teachers and parents to educate 1,200 adults and children and treat around 103 patients from some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.

“This year, we are devoting more money, over a longer term, to make an even bigger difference.”

The Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA Community Service Grants (the grants) provide the necessary funding to cover the purchase of supplies and other out of pocket costs so that volunteer dentists can commence or expand community service programmes within their own communities or the communities of the (much poorer) Pacific Islands.

Hamilton based Dr Assil Russell and the River Road Dental team, recipients of a 2012 Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA grant, delivered much needed dental treatment, education and products to the city’s homeless, a section of the community that usually misses out on adequate dental care.

It was a heart-breaking, but rewarding experience, says Assil.

“We ended up doing a lot more than expected. There were people who hadn’t been to the dentist in years, others had dentures that no longer fitted, and some had had oral trauma in the past and never received any treatment. Many were living with chronic pain, toothache, rotting teeth, broken teeth or ulcers and were hesitant to get help.

“The grant enabled our team to do pro bono work on a bigger scale than previously,” she says.

A new feature of the grants programme, says Dr David Crum, CEO of the New Zealand Dental Association, is the Principles in Action Award.

“This is a USD$8,000 award to enable a large scale project to help support change in the community, such as a project in multiple locations around New Zealand. Funding of this magnitude will enable some real progress to be made in communities that need the most help.

“It is great to be able to apply the Association’s expertise to assist the Wrigley Company Foundation and our dentists to work in communities on a voluntary basis.

“Grant applications open for all categories in July, and more information will be available on our www.nzda.org.nz and www.healthysmiles.org.nz websites,” says Dr Crum.

Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA Community Service Grant applicants must be qualified NZDA member dentists. Enrolled dentistry students and other oral health practitioners can apply through a member dentist leading the team. Applicants must be involved in a specific community oral health programme or project that demonstrates capability to improve the community’s oral health through treatment or oral health education.

Annual Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA Community Service Grants that can be applied for:

· Community Award Service Grant – Principles in Action USD $8,000

· Pacific Region Dental Aid Grant USD $5,000

· Community Service Grants NZDA (10 x $1,000) USD $10,000

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