www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation

We are pleased to provide you with the inaugural edition of The Cavity Free Press! We hope you enjoy our exciting news about oral health activities, information and ways you can support these efforts. d During the continued economic challenges our state faces, it becomes imperative to work collectively and collaboratively to support nonprofits, schools, clinics reaching children without health coverage and those hard working families trying to stay afloat and do their best for their families. Thank you to our donors, the Foundations working with us to promote oral health, clinics, schools and volunteers giving children a reason to smile. f Holiday wishes to you and yours from Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation!

Sandi Perez f Vice President of Philanthropy & f Community Relations

January 8: Spit Tobacco Coalition Meeting .. ..Maricopa Co. Dept. Public Health 22: The Tooth Fairy Film Released 29: State Oral Health Coalition AZPHA …..Meeting 11:30am February 5: First Friday at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix for Children’s Dental Health Month 6: ASCC annual Play it Safe event featuring Peter and the Wolf by ChildsPlay, Tempe Center for the Arts 2:30pm Community Grants Luncheon (details ….to be posted on the website) May 21: DDAZF Golf Tournament

Debbie Holaday applies fluoride varnish to a preschool student.

From left to right: Mike McQuaid, Bernie Glossy, Dr. Ju Lawrence, and John Felix. DDAZF and the Thunderbirds present the Desert Mission Children’s Dental Clinic with a check for $37,500.

Varnish Today, Vanish Decay Program Kicks off at Marshall Ranch Elementary School

As part of a new oral disease prevention initiative called “Varnish Today, Vanish Decay”, the DDAZF is supporting the Peoria Unified School District by providing oral screenings, oral hygiene supplies and fluoride varnish for all the preschool children in the school district. Additionally, education sessions for all preschool teachers in the district and parents of preschool children were given by Foundation staff. Fluoride varnish is a temporary paint on application of concentrated fluoride which is very effective in preventing tooth decay. Registered dental hygienists Debbie Holaday and Tracey Thompson from Delta provider Dr. Richard Fefer’s office screened and applied fluoride varnish to over 200 preschool students at Marshall Ranch Elementary School on October 13th. The program continued through November and is open to all preschool children in the district. An estimated 1,000 children will participate to be screened and receive fluoride varnish. The children will receive another fluoride varnish application in the spring in order to get the full benefit of the treatment.

In the past year the Board of Directors of the Foundation has awarded $345,000 in community grants for children and youth across Arizona. That raises the total of charitable giving into the community well over $3 million since the inception of the organization. Programs receiving funding focused their efforts on reaching uninsured children and preventing decay through oral health instruction to parents, teachers and kids, oral screenings, dental supplies, fluoride varnish treatments and dental sealants. “This year, given the economic difficulties facing families and the layoffs by companies, more children need the basic health services we offer,” said Dr. Ken Snyder, dental director of the clinic at St. Vincent de Paul. The clinic applied dental sealants funded by the Delta Dental Arizona Foundation for 847 children. Teeth-on-the-Go curriculum kits were also distributed to more than 50 schools to give teachers the tools they need in the classroom. “Doubling the number of children helped in 2009 is exciting to all of us working with the Foundation, but we know that next year will be even more challenging. Our goal to reach more children and raise more money,” said Keith Gauzza of Henry Schein Dental and Foundation Board Member.

www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation

Help improve the oral health ofHelp improve the oral health of Arizona’s children at Arizona’s children at no cost to youno cost to you!!

The Arizona State Working Poor Tax Credit allows you to receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, up to $400—lowering the amount you will pay or increasing your refund. Your donation is also federally deductible, so you may actually save on your federal taxes, providing a double return on your investment in the smile of a child.

1. Donate up to $400 married/$200 single, by check or credit card to the DDAZF at 5656 W Talavi Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85306 or online at www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation.

2. The Foundation sends all donors a letter confirming your donation.

3. Donations must be postmarked or made online no later than December 31st.

4. You or your accountant should complete AZ Form 321, a simple tax form to claim the credit.

From Brooklyn, New York, Alisa Diggs works as Program Manager for the Maricopa County Public Health Emergency Management Program. Her

current position demands oversight of a $3.5 million budget and 22 FTE’s. Trained as a Physician’s Assistant at City University of New York, Ms. Diggs worked in outpatient and inpatient services in her hometown before moving to Phoenix in 1995. In Arizona she worked for CIGNA for 12 years before joining Maricopa County’s Dept. of Public Health. Continuing her education at Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health with a certification in epidemiology and in 2001 earned a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Arizona.

Three years ago this program became the cornerstone of the dental health promotion and disease prevention focus for the Foundation. Supporting nonprofit, county and state led programs around Arizona, dental screenings and sealants are provided for eligible 2nd and 6th grade students. These age groups are most typical for having erupted molars. The goal of the Sealant Program is to provide dental screenings, dental sealants, and referrals to 2nd and 6th grade students:

children at 7 schools. During the 2008-09 school year, more than 4,500 students were screened and when appropriate sealed in our communities. f The newest addition to our 2009-10 sealant program in Phoenix is the Radio Disney Smile Show. An “edutainment” show brings oral health education to students, and hopefully a resulting increase in participation in the Dental Sealant Program. For approximately 40 minutes, the children will be entertained and educated with songs, games and gifts for every student. The health messages are about brushing, flossing, good food choices, and protecting and caring for your teeth. Radio Disney is a recognized and credible source of family programming, and brings high energy to this health topic. f The goal is to reach all students in schools across the state and hopefully with further expansion reach all eligible children regardless of the school they attend.

A 6th grade student receives sealants in a classroom at Ocotillo Elementary School.

percentage of free and reduced lunch students they serve. In the Greater Phoenix area, the focus is on three Central Phoenix districts (Alhambra, Osborn and Washington) where there are large numbers of low-income students. Working with Maricopa County Department of Public Health to reach more than 70 Phoenix schools and St. Vincent de Paul’s Dental Clinic, the program’s goal has been to saturate these districts and then expand over the next few years. In 2008, 777 sealants were placed for 204

• With parental consent

• With a need for dental sealants

• Having no private dental insurance

• Who attend schools with 65% or more participation in the Free/Reduced Lunch (FRL) Program

The Foundation teams with a wide variety of partners and providers in this program. The service delivery model differs according to the partners and resources available in each area. All schools are identified by the

Featured Board Member

DDAZF donates oral hygiene products to organizations who support vulnerable Arizonans. We have already given over 67,000 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to the community this year alone! If your organization would like to request a donation, please call 602-588-3922 or visit the website.

www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation

A dental sealant is a plastic resin material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of premolar and molar (back) teeth. This material is actually a

thinner version of your tooth colored fillings that is bonded to the grooves and pits of the teeth in a relatively easy procedure.

The sealant protects your teeth by acting as a barrier to keep food and bacteria from penetrating and causing cavities. They are effective because all other dental procedures protect the smoother flat surfaces of the teeth but can’t reach down into the very small grooves. The sealant is applied to the cleaned and specially treated tooth and then hardened chemically or with a special bonding light.

Sealants are safe and are primarily used for children after their molars erupt, typically after the age of six for the first set of molars and age twelve for the second set.

Sealants are very effective at preventing cavities and protect the tooth as long as they remain intact and were done correctly. They are able to withstand normal chewing and can last for many years. During regular checkups your dentist should check your sealants and determine if they need repair or reapplication.

John Mehlem, DMD Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona

dentalquestions@deltadentalaz.com

How does pregnancy affect your teeth and gums?

About half of women experience pregnancy gingivitis. This condition can be uncomfortable and cause swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue. A more advanced oral health condition called periodontal disease may affect the health of your unborn child.

Is periodontal disease linked to pre-term, low birth weight babies?

Yes. Pregnant women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. The likely culprit is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin. Very high levels of prostaglandin are found in women with severe cases of periodontal disease.

How do I minimize “pregnancy gingivitis”?

• Take extra care and time with good brushing and flossing techniques to remove plaque.

• Have a dental check-up and cleaning within the first or second trimester of your pregnancy.

• Third trimester cleanings can also help lower the risk of complications during pregnancy.

• Eat a well balanced diet and get plenty of vitamins C and B12

To donate, please visit the website or call 602To donate, please visit the website or call 602--588588--39293929

Thousands of children in Arizona are in vital need of philanthropic oral Thousands of children in Arizona are in vital need of philanthropic oral health services. Your taxhealth services. Your tax--deductible gift funds urgent programs in deductible gift funds urgent programs in Arizona including: Dental Sealant Program, fluoride varnish treatments, Arizona including: Dental Sealant Program, fluoride varnish treatments, oral health education, instruction, and community outreach.oral health education, instruction, and community outreach.

● ● Cash ● Gifts of Stock ● Charitable Trusts ● Bequests Cash ● Gifts of Stock ● Charitable Trusts ● Bequests ● ● ● ● Life Insurance ● Naming Opportunities Life Insurance ● Naming Opportunities ●●

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. In order to help raise awareness and promote the importance of oral health, the Foundation is partnering with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix for the second year in a row to bring a month of fun oral health activities and supplies to all the children who visit the museum. Last February over 22,000 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss were distributed to all the guests of the museum. Also, the cavity-fighting superhero Molar Man was on hand to help the children stop tooth decay. Other activities included dental story times, arts and crafts, and families enjoyed having pictures taken at the 10,000 smiles photo station. This year we plan on reaching even more children and bringing new activities to the museum. Come join the festivities this February and help raise awareness for children’s dental health! More information can be found on the DDAZF website and at www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org.

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix.

What are dental sealants and are they effective?

Established in 1997, the DDAZF has given over $3 million to the community supporting oral health programs reaching vulnerable Arizonans. Our mission is significantly improving the oral health of individuals and communities, particularly the underserved, in the state of Arizona.

Board of Directors Karen Berrigan, DMD James Davis, DDS Alisa Diggs, MPH, PA-C David Dischler, DDS James Freeman Keith Gauzza Bernie Glossy, FACHE

Hector Gonzalez, DDS Robert Griego, DDS Don Henninger, Publisher James Jorgensen, DDS Rebecca Kenyon Susan Perkins-Fry, MPH Michael Radcliffe, DMD

www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation

DDAZF is honored to recognize the generosity of Dr. Steve Hymovitch, who was one of our annual golf tournament sponsors. As a token of appreciation, we presented his office with their framed golf flag from the tournament. Spend a few minutes with Steven Hymovitch, DDS, MBA, CEO of Valley Endodontics & Oral Surgery, and you can’t help but be touched by his passion and enthusiasm for family, community, his patients and dental practice. Dr. Hymovitch, was voted “Best In Phoenix” by Phoenix Magazine in 2004, is a dedicated husband, father of five and self-proclaimed “hockey dad”, who values and supports the Foundation’s mission to improve oral health for uninsured and under-insured people in Arizona. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Dr. Hymovitch whose generosity is matched only by his energy and wit!

Sandi Perez and Steve Hymovitch

Desert Mountain Golf Club, ScottsdalDesert Mountain Golf Club, Scottsdalee

former host of The Tradition, the first major on the Senior PGA Tour

For details visitFor details visit www.golf4smiles.orgwww.golf4smiles.org

or contact the DDAZF at 602or contact the DDAZF at 602--588588--39223922

The Arizona Smile Maker Award is presented by the DDAZF to dental healthcare professionals in Arizona who are “giving people a reason to smile” by donating their expertise, skills, and time back to the community. Help us celebrate these wonderful, hidden treasures in our midst by nominating them for the Arizona Smile Maker Award! The award is available statewide. Nominations are being accepted November 1st, 2009

through January 15th, 2010 in 4 categories: 1. Dentists who are DDAZ participating

providers 2. Dentists who are not DDAZ participating

providers 3. Dental Hygienists 4. Other dental healthcare workers,

support staff, oral health educators, etc. For details and nomination forms, please visit the website.

5656 W. Talavi Blvd. Glendale, AZ 85306 www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation

Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation

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