Something to smile about

3 October 2016

New dental grants give Kiwis who need it most something to smile about

The Wrigley Company Foundation along with the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) today announced the recipients of US$23,00o worth of dental grants to help make a difference to the lives of young and vulnerable Kiwis.

This year, nine programmes across New Zealand and the Pacific have been awarded community service grants and a portion of the total grant fund.

The New Zealand programmes are aimed at assisting the most high-risk and underserviced groups within our communities who are less likely to maintain a good standard of oral health. Children from low income families, Maori and Pacific Island communities, and the physically disabled are among those most at risk.

This year, two Pacific Region Dental Aid Grants will see teams of dentists visit Samoa and Fiji to provide volunteer dental treatments as well as oral health education to communities around Motootua Island Samoa and school children in Taveuni Island Fiji.

CEO of the New Zealand Dental Association, Dr David Crum says, “The Wrigley Company Foundation NZDA Community Service Grants support dentists across the country who, as members of a profession, volunteer their time and services to assist some of the most at risk communities here and in the Pacific.

“The grants are vitally important to help dental professionals develop new programmes and expand existing community service work.”

General Manager Wrigley Pacific, Patrick Gantier says, “Wrigley’s Extra Oral Healthcare Program operates in 47 countries worldwide, where initiatives such as the Community Service Grants support communities where oral care support is needed most.

“Over the past five years, the grant funding has greatly assisted hard working volunteers to help bridge the gap in access to oral care services and dental education across New Zealand and the Pacific.”

In 2012, a partnership between the Wrigley Company Foundation and the NZDA was formed to improve the reach and quality of dental treatment to at-risk communities. The programme provides funding to volunteer dentists and teams of allied dental professionals to cover the purchase of supplies, treatments and other expenses, to develop new and expand existing oral health community service projects.

The grants awarded this year include one US$8,000 Principles in Action Grant, one US$5,000 Principles in Action Grant, one US$3,500 Pacific Region Dental Aid Grant as well as one US$1,500 Pacific Region Dental Aid Grant, and five US$1,000 Community Service Grants.

ENDS

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