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GlaxoSmithKline's $250,000 Grant Targets Older Americans' Access to Dental Care
The grant will be used to establish an "Initiative on Older Adult Access to Oral Health Care," spurring development of programs to help older Americans who face financial or other challenges in accessing dental care.
Unlike other age groups, few governmental programs cover dental services for older Americans. Only about 22 percent of adults over age 65 have private dental insurance. However, as more people keep their teeth, more will be at risk for dental diseases and will need more preventive, restorative and periodontal services.
"GSK Consumer Healthcare is excited to partner with and support the American Dental Association and its Foundation in helping to improve access to dental care for older Americans," said Sydney R. Rollock, vice president of GlaxoSmithKline Oral Care, U.S.
According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about half of adults aged 65 and over visited a dentist in 2001, compared with the nearly 75 percent rate for children. About three out of ten older Americans no longer have any natural teeth and over four out of ten have gum disease. Gum disease, when not treated, can result in the loss of teeth.
"Having successfully helped millions of Americans keep their teeth as they age into their seventies and eighties, we now face an increase in dental disease among them. So we are very pleased to work with GlaxoSmithKline on this very important access initiative," said Dr. Richard Haught, ADA president. "Oral disease can cause or exacerbate infections, and the discomfort can prevent people from following a nutritious diet, both of which can threaten overall health."
The ADA Foundation will issue a request for proposals, awarding competitive grants of up to $50,000 to applicants whose oral health promotion programs are designed to improve and maintain older Americans' oral health through effective preventive education, care and treatment. An advisory committee will select programs for funding. Visit http://www.ada.org/ada/prod/adaf/index.asp or call the ADA Foundation at 312-440-2547 for more information.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter healthcare products companies and ranks second globally in sales of oral care products. Its well-known global brands include Aquafresh , Sensodyne , Polident and PoliGrip . To learn more about GSKCH, visit www.dental-professional.com
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline--one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies--is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. To learn more about GlaxoSmithKline, visit www.gsk.com
About the ADA Foundation
The ADA Foundation is dedicated to improving health and making lives better, one person at a time. Since 1991, the ADA Foundation has disbursed nearly $24 million dollars to support such charitable activities. In addition to funding grants for dental research, education, scholarships and access to care, the Foundation supports Charitable Assistance Programs such as relief grants to dentists and their dependents who are unable to support themselves due to injury, a medical condition or advanced age; and grants and loans to those who are victims of disasters.
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 149,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. The ADA's website may be found at www.ada.org.
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