Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

DO GOOD: Dental Philanthopic Focus Puts Kids And Families First by John Tobin

Start Discussion


In collaborations with dentists around the world, the employees at 3M ESPE Dental (3M) have seen time and again the importance that their customers place on giving their time and services to patients in need.

3M partners with dental organizations to support causes that increase access to dental care for children and families in underserved communities. This support is also manifested through ongoing partnerships with the American Dental Association (ADA), Oral Health America, and America's ToothFairy: National Children's Oral Health Foundation.

Leveraging the NASCAR platform
3M has been working with the ADA's Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) program for four years, and in that time has touched thousands of children's lives through dental education events and screenings. 3M ties its work with GKAS to its NASCAR sponsorship, holding educational events at schools in NASCAR race markets a few days before each race, as well as trackside events at the race. The events are held at sites with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students. The 3M race car and members of the racing team visit schools to emphasize the importance of basic oral care, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily, visiting the dentist, and choosing healthy drinks and snacks.

The company held 11 such events in 2014, educating more than 4,000 children. Support for these children doesn't stop once the event is over—the company also has a program in partnership with the ADA and American Association of Pediatric Dentistry to find local family dentists for the children, where they can receive a year of cleaning, sealants and restorative work.

The 2014 outreach continued at trackside midway events with a tent that featured family-fun activities and more education about healthy dental habits. More than 78,000 toothbrushes and oral-care tip cards were distributed to visitors at NASCAR races in 2014. For 2015, the school-based education campaign will target Tennessee, Indiana, South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama.

3M's new affiliation with driver Jeff Gordon is bringing more attention than ever to the cause, thanks to the NASCAR star's massive fan base and the fact that 2015 is Gordon's final racing season. Gordon, a supporter of many children's health causes, has spoken about his own poor oral care as a child and how this led to two root canals by the time he was age 12. By lending his visibility and celebrity appeal to the cause, Gordon is helping to prevent similar futures for thousands of kids.

Raising awareness and keeping smiles healthy
In its work with Oral Health America (OHA), 3M has supported two programs: Fall for Smiles and Smiles Across America. The company sponsors the Fall for Smiles campaign, through which OHA aims to educate Americans about the importance of good home care, regular dental visits, a healthy diet, and avoidance of tobacco. Tools such as activity booklets, brushing charts and tip sheets help parents and kids connect about good oral-health habits, and senior patients and their caregivers also get specially targeted tip sheets. In 2014, the campaign distributed educational booklets to more than 100,000 dental offices and generated an estimated 153 million impressions through its various outreach efforts.

3M also donates a variety of products to OHA's Smiles Across America effort, which supports school-linked, oral-health programs. Its donations in 2014, including 75,000 doses of fluoride varnish and 107,000 doses of sealant, have helped dental professionals serve more than 287,000 children. 3M has also donated Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal Restorative to the organization, much of which was done in conjunction with a recent promotion that allowed dentists to direct a donation to the OHA with their own product purchase.

The employees of 3M are proud to help these organizations reach out to families—whether through schools, at a NASCAR race or at the dental office. Through its ongoing collaborations with its charitable partners and individual dentists, the company is dedicated to helping kids keep healthy smiles for life.



John Tobin is the director of the 3M ESPE Dental U.S. Business Unit. He previously served on the Dental Trade Alliance Board of Directors. Prior to joining 3M ESPE Dental, he was the director of international operations for 3M Traffic Safety and Security. Tobin is a graduate of St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York.


Dentaltown Magazine
April 2024
Dentaltown Magazine April 2024 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Have you ever switched practice management platforms for your practice?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2024 Dentaltown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450