EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Oral Health America (OHA), a national non-profit organization working to educate Americans about the importance of dental care to overall health and well-being, along with original sponsor Trident®, is expanding its 10th anniversary celebration for the Smiles Across America® (SAA) program. Trident has supported Oral Health America's SAA program for the past 10 years by donating more than two million dollars to help underserved kids receive dental care, and is now giving consumers across the country a chance to help the cause.
During the week of September 15th, every pack of Trident gum purchased at retailers nationwide will spur a five cent donation to the SAA program, up to $200,000.
Actress, musician and celebrity mom Hilary Duff will visit the New York University College of Dentistry Department of Pediatric Dentistry today to kick off the Trident drive week and encourage people to do their part in helping kids in underserved communities receive dental care.
"As a mom, I know how challenging it can be to get kids to take care of their teeth, but proper dental care is such a vital part of children's overall health and wellness," said Ms. Duff. "I am so excited to help Trident celebrate its 10-year sponsorship with Smiles Across America and bring oral health education and care to kids in need."
"Trident is committed to the advancement of oral health care and proud to support OHA and SAA to impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of children across America," said Megan Sullivan, Brand Manager, Trident. "Through the Trident sales drive week, we are giving people an easy way to help us on the mission to provide essential preventive dental care to kids in need."
In 2004, Trident provided funding to help launch SAA and provide oral disease prevention services for children who are uninsured and underserved due to issues of poverty – including lack of resources and transportation barriers. Trident® Sugar Free Gum continues to be a major supporter of SAA as part of an ongoing commitment to the advancement of oral care in America's youth.
"We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Trident in this landmark anniversary year and continue to bring necessary oral health care and education to children through SAA," said OHA President and CEO Beth Truett.
To learn more about SAA, please visit www.oralhealthamerica.org. For more information on Trident, visit Facebook.com/Tridentgum.
About TRIDENT Gum
TRIDENT gum, the first national sugar free gum, has long been a pioneer in providing oral care benefits to consumers. TRIDENT is one of Mondelez International's "Billion Dollar" brands, and is loved by a global community of thirteen million Facebook fans. Visit www.facebook.com/tridentgum.
Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) is a global snacking powerhouse, with 2013 revenue of $35 billion. Creating delicious moments of joy in 165 countries, Mondelez International is a world leader in chocolate, biscuits, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate, Jacobs coffee, LU, Nabisco and Oreo biscuits, Tang powdered beverages and TRIDENT gum. Mondelez International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com and www.facebook.com/mondelezinternational.
About Oral Health America
OHA's mission is to change lives by connecting communities with resources to increase access to oral health care, education and advocacy for all Americans, especially those most vulnerable. Through Smiles Across America®, which serves 440,000 children annually, the Wisdom Tooth Project™, which reaches tens of thousands of older adults, and the Campaign for Oral Health Equity, which prioritize oral health alongside other chronic diseases, OHA provides needed oral health care and education, helping Americans of all ages to have a healthy mouth and understand the importance of oral health for overall health. For more information about Oral Health America, please visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.
About New York University College of Dentistry
New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYUCD has a significant global reach and provides a level of national and international diversity among its students that is unmatched by any other dental school. http://www.nyu.edu/dental/
Like Oral Health America and Trident on Facebook, Facebook.com/OralHealthAmerica, Facebook.com/tridentgum
Follow Oral Health America and Trident on Twitter, @Smile4Health @tridentgum
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140915/146240
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140915/146238
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140915/146239
SOURCE Trident