18 June 2014
Applications now open for oral health community service grants
Wrigley Company Foundation and NZDA open 2014 Community Service Grants to help high risk groups access dental care
New Zealand dental professionals are encouraged to apply for one of 12 Community Service Grants designed to help improve
the access to oral care services and education for New Zealand and Pacific’s at risk communities.
The Wrigley Company Foundation in partnership with the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA), has opened applications
for its 2014 Community Service Grants Programme, which continues to make a difference to high risk and underserviced
groups such as children, elderly, physically disabled, geographically isolated and Maori.
This year, the Wrigley Company Foundation in partnership with the NZDA will provide USD$23,000 in funds via twelve
grants:
• 10 x USD $1,000 Community Service Grants
• 1 x USD $8,000 ‘Principles in Action’ Community Service Grant: introduced to help activate a larger scale
project
• 1 x USD $5,000 Pacific Region Dental Aid Grant: introduced to promote access to oral health education in the
Pacific Islands.
“Wrigley’s core business is providing accessible and portable health care, and we are committed to improving the oral
health of New Zealanders,” says Andrew Leakey, General Manager, Wrigley Pacific.
“The success of the Community Service Grant programme depends on partnership, from the alliance between the Wrigley
Company Foundation and the NZDA, to the collaboration with the hard working volunteer dentists on their community
programmes.
“Oral health remains a widespread problem among New Zealanders with more than 44 per cent of the population receiving no
form of dental care 1 which makes the NZDA and Wrigley Company Foundation grants partnership so vital. We have a shared
aim, through the grants, to help disadvantaged communities access free oral health services, treatments and education,”
he concluded.
Dr David Crum, chief executive officer of the New Zealand Dental Association, says the Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA
Community Service Grants support dentists across the country who volunteer their time and services to assist some of New
Zealand’s most at risk communities.
“The grants are vitally important to help dental professionals develop new programmes and expand existing community
service work.”
In 2013, Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA Community Service Grant recipients recruited 36 volunteer dentists and dental
therapists, 95 dental assistants, teachers and parents to treat 294 patients and educate 718 adults and children from
some of New Zealand’s most disadvantaged communities.
For the full application criteria and to apply for the Community Service Grants, visit www.healthysmiles.org.nz and download an application form. Applications close 15 September, 2014.
The Wrigley Company Foundation
The Wrigley Company has a rich history of giving back to the communities where we live and work. Established in 1987 to
formalise the giving of grants and donations, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation has distributed more than USD$50
million to non-profit organisations around the world. The mission of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation is to
improve the health of people and our planet through sustainable initiatives focused in oral health and environmental
stewardship as well as local needs that ensure a healthy community. Wrigley provides support not only with financial
resources, but with the care and compassion of their 16,000 associates who have a passion for service and are provided
opportunities throughout the year to exhibit their generous spirit. www.wrigley.com
New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA)
The New Zealand Dental Association represents registered dentists throughout the country, and is the leading advocate
for oral health. The NZDA works to improve the oral health of New Zealanders, through public education, promotion and
research. The NZDA has more than 2500 members and is the professional association for all dentists in New Zealand.
References
New Zealand Oral Health Survey 2009, (accessed from http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/our-oral-health-2010.pdf)
ENDS