ADA Foundation Awards Harris Fund Grants to Improve Children's Dental Care

Grant proposals for 2007 accepted now

Chicago, May 8, 2006—The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) has awarded grants this year to 47 organizations under its Samuel Harris Fund to help improve dental care for children.

Programs supported range from providing care and educational materials to children in rural areas of Florida and Native Americans in Northern Arizona to a collaborative effort between dentists and pediatricians in New York City, serving a low-income, infant population.

The $195,000 awarded by the Harris Fund this year will serve more than 200,000 children in 26 states.

Established by the ADAF to prevent childhood tooth decay, the Harris Fund is a permanent endowment and receives generous support from the Colgate-Palmolive Company. Each year, grants up to $5,000 go to educational and preventative programs, seeking to improve children's dental health. In 2007, a total of $210,000 will be available for grants.

Proposals now being accepted for 2007

The foundation is accepting Harris Fund grant proposals for 2007 that request up to $5,000 from community-based, not-for-profit organizations in the United States or its territories. According to the foundation, they must be in receipt of proposals by July 10, 2006. Examples of qualified oral health programs include:

• dental health education conducted at schools, health fairs and social agencies, via mobile dental clinics or outreach programs;
• dental health education programs in conjunction with preventive programs such as fluoride and dental sealant application programs;
• oral health and nutrition education materials designed for parents and/or dental professionals;
• instruction in the proper use of oral care products;
• development of public service announcements (PSAs) to increase awareness of and appreciation for proper childhood oral care

For additional information, contact the ADA Foundation at (312) 440-2547 or email adaf@ada.org. A copy of the request for proposal is available at www.adafoundation.org .

About the ADA Foundation
The ADA Foundation is a catalyst for uniting people and organizations to make a difference through better oral health. Since 1991, the ADA Foundation has disbursed nearly $31 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 that 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. http://www.adafoundation.org

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