Tom's of Maine Dental Health for All program awards $100,000 to five mobile dental clinic

KENNEBUNK, Maine, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom's of Maine announced today the five winning mobile dental clinics of its 2011 Dental Health for All™ (DHFA) program.

Determined by public vote, these 501(c)3 non-profit clinics in good standing will split $100,000 to grow and support mobile programs that offer critical, easy-to-access dental care in local communities. This year's DHFA program focused solely on expanding dental clinics in the field so they can bring "goodness on the go" to those unable to afford an exam or coverage.

The following organizations will each receive $20,000 thanks to the many supporters in their respective communities who cast a vote:  

Children's Hospital New Orleans Tooth Bus - New Orleans, LA
"We are overjoyed and appreciative to be named one of the five mobile dental units to receive this grant. The funds will help us serve the nearly 10,000 children who depend on our services each year. We extend our most heartfelt thanks to everyone at Tom's of Maine and to all who voted. Our Tooth Bus program has become a vital resource in the New Orleans community and we're looking forward to providing many more healthy, happy smiles." -Marian Ulasiewicz, Children's Hospital New Orleans

Kids In Need of Dentistry (KIND) – Denver, CO
"We are very excited and honored to be a winner of Toms' of Maine's 2011 Dental Health for All. The money that we received will go towards furthering our mission of providing high quality comprehensive dental care and education to kids in need throughout Colorado.  Thank you Tom's of Maine for believing in Kids In Need of Dentistry-KIND and the importance of oral healthcare in improving overall health for everyone.  A big thank you to KIND's friends and supporters who made this all happen by their votes!" -Julie Collett, Kids In Need of Dentistry

St. Joseph Health System - Sonoma County Cultivating Health Mobile Dental Clinic – Santa Rosa, CA
"This generous funding from Tom's of Maine will allow us to treat an additional 1,000 children who are under-insured or uninsured at their school sites and at WIC [Women, Infants and Children] in the Sonoma Valley. We are grateful for this opportunity to expand our ability to combat tooth decay in our community's youngest members." -Stacey Stirling, St. Joseph Health System- Sonoma County

St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network – Bethlehem, PA
"This award from Tom's of Maine will allow St. Luke's to continue to provide much needed care to low-income children who have either never seen a dentist or who have not received dental care for many years. By providing education, preventive and restorative care services to at-risk children, we can promote the importance of good oral health practices throughout their lives." - Carla M. Arbushites, St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network

St. Mary's Mobile Dental Care for Kids – Evansville, IN
"Funding from the Tom's of Maine grant will allow us to fully connect dental records between multiple dental treatment locations in the community.  This capability will allow us to better serve our children and families with greater efficiency and quality.  St. Mary's thanks Tom's of Maine for making this opportunity possible!" - Timothy Flesch, St. Mary's Mobile Dental Care for Kids

"We're proud to shine a light on the important efforts of mobile dental clinics this year and the  quality services they bring to those who might otherwise go without, including children," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "We look forward to seeing the new smiles these mobile clinics and others around the country will bring to their communities over the coming months."

Tom's of Maine has a long history of supporting local non-profit dental clinics that provide greater access to quality, affordable dental care. To date, Tom's of Maine Dental Health for All  program has helped make nearly 200,000 additional patient visits possible with $900,000 in funding provided to more than 25 school and community-based dental clinics.

For more information on the winning clinics, visit www.tomsofmaine.com and to find out how to volunteer in your community, with vital organizations like these, enter your zip code at this page http://www.tomsofmaine.com/community-involvement/living-well/project-sponsorships.