CHICAGO, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, manufacturer of Orbit® sugarfree gum, are partnering for the third year to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) this October. Centered on the theme, "Keep them clean. Keep them healthy," this year's collaboration focuses on the ease of building good oral hygiene habits.
"NDHM is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of a good oral health regimen to total health, and to honor the work that dental hygienists do all year," said ADHA President Susan Savage, RDH, BSDH. "With the help of the Wrigley Company, the message will reach new audiences and celebrate the vital role dental hygienists have in educating patients on the value of a healthy smile."
This year's partnership includes a national radio media tour and outreach to Spanish-speaking communities across the country. ADHA and Wrigley are excited to continue this collaboration and celebrate the importance of dental hygiene.
In support of NDHM, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation in partnership with the ADHA Institute for Oral Health is awarding $60,000 in community service grants—given in increments of $2,500 and $5,000—to dental hygienists and dental hygiene organizations for community oral health outreach. The application deadline is November 2, 2012. Visit the ADHA Institute for Oral Health website for details and application materials.
For further details about NDHM, go to www.adha.org/ndhm/index.html.
About the American Dental Hygienists' Association�ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 150,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit ADHA at www.adha.org.
About Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs�For more than 25 years, Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs have supported independent, clinical research into the benefits of chewing gum including saliva stimulation, plaque acid neutralization, and tooth strengthening to help oral care professionals and their patients understand the role of sugar-free gum as a convenient tool for everyday oral care. Today, Wrigley operates oral healthcare programs in 47 countries worldwide. Visit www.wrigleydentalcare.com for more information.
