APhA Foundation Announces Partnership with America's ToothFairy

PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC — Aligned with its new research agenda which includes oral health as an area of focus, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation announces its partnership with America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation®. Since 2010, the APhA Foundation has been exploring how pharmacists can engage in interdisciplinary efforts to promote oral health.

“With more than 250 million people passing through the doors of a community pharmacy every week, we believe that pharmacists can play an important role in promoting oral health and preventing tooth decay,” said Benjamin Bluml, APhA Foundation Senior Vice President, Research and Innovation.

“Many people are not aware how closely linked oral health is with your general health,” said Mindy Smith, APhA Foundation Executive Director. “Our partnership with America’s ToothFairy is a significant opportunity to impact families across the country by raising awareness of untreated oral disease as a leading health concern for children.”

Throughout the month of February, National Children’s Dental Health Month, America’s ToothFairy will hold its second annual Smile Drive — a national campaign to collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and rinse for at-risk children. In February 2014, more than 430,000 oral care products were collected and delivered to children in need, helping address one of the most prevalent chronic childhood illnesses in the U.S. – pediatric dental disease. The APhA Foundation encourages pharmacies to participate by registering on the America’s ToothFairy website, which also provides a downloadable promotional toolkit.

“We are proud to partner with the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, recognizing the critical role of pharmacists in the health and well-being of children and their families,” stated Fern Ingber, America’s ToothFairy President and CEO. “We believe that the expansion of our Smile Drives into pharmacies will emphasize the importance of preventative care and positive oral health behaviors.”

For more information about the APhA Foundation’s oral health initiatives, please visit our website.

About the American Pharmacists Association Foundation

The APhA Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., is a trusted source of research demonstrating how pharmacists can improve health care. The APhA Foundation’s mission is to improve people’s health through pharmacists’ patient care services. The APhA Foundation is affiliated with the American Pharmacists Association, the national professional society of pharmacists in the U.S. For more information, please visit the APhA Foundation website www.aphafoundation.org. Follow the APhA Foundation on Twitter andFacebook for the latest updates.

About America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) ®

America’s ToothFairy is dedicated to raising awareness of one of the most prevalent chronic childhood illnesses: pediatric dental disease, facilitating the delivery of comprehensive oral health services and eliminating this preventable disease from future generations. With a growing Affiliate Network of exemplary non-profit community programs, Kids Club, and professional and student service programs, America’s ToothFairy is building a powerful, united effort to eliminate tooth decay and protect the smiles of our most vulnerable children. For more information, visit www.AmericasToothFairy.org.