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Oral Health Leader's $1.5 Million Contribution Helps Connect The Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College Of Dentistry To The Smiles Across America Family

Parsippany, NJ /PRNewswire/ - The HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry is the newest health provider to receive funding from Smiles Across America® (SAA), the signature program of Oral Health America that supports dental services to thousands of children in underserved communities nationwide. As a result of the $1.5 million contribution announced late last year, Trident gum will more than double the number of children who currently receive oral health services and education through their partnership with SAA and their care provider network over the next three years.

Today, The HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry will join the SAA family of clinics and will double the number of tooth sealants provided to underserved children in the Dallas area. Dr. Jones, Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at Baylor College of Dentistry will join Trident®, SAA and the children of Bonham Elementary School, to bring attention to the importance of oral health care for children living in Dallas and nationwide. Trident's financial commitment is critical to Oral Health America's expansion of services to dental programs in need of SAA-funding such as The HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry.

"We are very pleased to welcome The HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry to our family of care providers," said Beth Truett, president and CEO of Oral Health America. "Through our combined efforts, we can raise public awareness about the importance of oral health and hygiene and proactively provide education and services to those who lack access to routine dental care."

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America(1), affecting almost 50 percent of second graders and almost 80 percent of 17-year-olds(2). Untreated tooth decay and disease can affect a child's health, well-being, growth and achievement(3). Each year, over 51 million school hours are lost as a result of problems related to tooth decay. Trident's contributions help SAA link local governments, businesses and supporters with care providers and schools to help fight untreated oral disease in children.

"Trident gum has long been a pioneer in providing oral health benefits to consumers. Trident was the first gum brand of its kind to undergo extensive clinical testing with studies showing that people who chewed Trident experienced significantly fewer cavities," said Lesya Lysyj, executive vice president, marketing, Cadbury North America. "By supporting Smiles Across America, we continue to raise awareness about the importance of access to pediatric dental care in the U.S."

Thanks to contributions from supporters, like Trident, SAA provides its network with the funding and technical assistance in the areas of communication and coalition building that enables them to reach more underserved and uninsured children and address barriers to care lack of resources and transportation, low literacy and language diversity. To learn more about the Trident and Smiles Across America partnership, visit www.TridentCares4Kids.org.

About Trident® Sugar-Free Gum
Trident gum has long been a pioneer in providing oral health benefits to consumers. Trident was the first gum brand of its kind to undergo extensive long-term clinical testing in 1967 with studies showing that people who chewed Trident experienced significantly fewer cavities. Most recently, the brand introduced Trident Xtra Care with Recaldent, a great tasting sugar free gum that delivers superior strengthening power versus regular sugar-free chewing gum. Today, Trident is the best selling chewing gum and sugar-free gum in the world(4), and a recent study shows that the brand continues to be recommended by four out of five dentists who would recommend sugar-free gum to their patients who chew gum(5).

About Smiles Across America (SAA)
SAA is a signature program created by Oral Health America, the nation's leading, independent organization dedicated to eliminating oral disease through access, education and advocacy. SAA improves the oral health of elementary school students who lack access to routine dental care by supporting oral disease prevention services in school-based or school-linked settings, and demonstrating to communities that oral health is integral to overall health. For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org/smiles.html.

About Cadbury North America
Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, Cadbury North America is the Canadian and U.S. combined business unit of Cadbury plc - a leading global confectionery business with number one or number two positions in over 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets. In the United States, the brand portfolio of Cadbury includes some of the best-loved confections in the U.S., including Trident®, Dentyne®, Halls®, Bubblicious®, Sour Patch®, Swedish Fish®, Chiclets®, Certs® and STRIDE®, The Ridiculously Long Lasting Gum® and Green & Black's® organic chocolate. Our people create brands people love with passion, dedication and drive.

For more information visit www.cadbury.com.

SOURCE Cadbury North America

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