WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colgate-Palmolive Company has been named the exclusive sponsor of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA)/Colgate/Academy for Academic Leadership Institute for Allied Health Educators. In this role, Colgate has committed a half of a million dollars in support of this professional development program over the course of the next five years.
"This significant sponsorship demonstrates Colgate's strong commitment to helping ADEA and AAL advance excellence in allied health education," says ADEA Executive Director Richard W. Valachovic, D.M.D. "Colgate's commitment to supporting programs that improve oral health in communities around the world is also evident in their support of ADEA's scholarships, awards, and fellowship activities."
Dr. Valachovic credits Barbara Shearer, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D., Colgate's Director of Scientific Affairs, for moving the multi-year initiative forward. "It is my personal and professional goal to help advance allied dental education and oral health," says Dr. Shearer. "It has been my pleasure to pursue and confirm this important educational initiative and I look forward to seeing the growth of the program through Colgate's multi-year support."
Launched in 2007 as an on-site program at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry, this professional development program prepares faculty for successful academic careers in dental hygiene, dental assisting, dental laboratory technology and other allied health programs. Dental hygiene faculty have made up more than 90% of all participants in the program thus far.
In 2009, the Academic Leadership Institute for Allied Health Educators became an online program. Karl Haden, Ph.D., AAL President, underscored the program's success, "To date, nearly 400 allied health faculty have participated in the ADEA/AAL IAHE. Colgate's sponsorship will enable ADEA and AAL to enhance the program's quality, expand content, and improve faculty development outcomes."
The Institute's key instructors include Cindy Amyot, RDH, Ed.D, and Pamela R. Overman, RDH, Ed.D, both at the UMKC School of Dentistry.
ADEA expects that the demand for participation will significantly increase with the support provided by Colgate, and recognizes the substantial impact this initiative will have on allied health education and oral health. For more information, please visit www.adea.org.