Bright Smiles Launch
28th JULY 08 Media Release
Dental Care Network Practices supporting children in need of dental treatment.
Research shows that kids in need have a greatly increased risk of developing severe tooth and gum disease. Up to 16% of Australian children aged 4-10 have decay in more than 30% of their teeth. Almost half of Australia’s six-year-olds have cavities in their baby teeth. And our 12-year-olds have worse dental health than children in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, England, Wales and Switzerland to name but a few.
To tackle this urgent problem, the National Dental Foundation and Colgate today announced ‘Bright Smiles’ – a major new national initiative launching as part of Colgate Oral Health Month in August.
The campaign aims to recruit hundreds of volunteer dentists across Australia to donate their time to treat children in need. Over the coming weeks, these practitioners and their staff will be matched with kids from families who are doing it tough.
The ‘Bright Smiles’ initiative has been organised by Jon Dee, social change campaigner and a patron of the NDF. Dee brought together the Foundation and Colgate, who were eager to partner on a new program designed to deliver dental health care where it is needed most. The program’s rollout has been made possible by sponsorship from Colgate.
Dentist Dr Nick Hocking from Sydney Dental Implants in Macquarie Street Sydney, part of Dental Corporation has kicked off ‘Bright Smiles’ by treating brother’s 10-year-old Caleb and 13-year-old Jerson Hidalgo of Campbelltown. “Dental practitioners see the effects of poor oral health every day”, said Dr Hocking. “Tooth and gum disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, poor nutrition, unsettled sleep, reduced performance at school, and health and social problems. ‘Bright Smiles’ gives the dental community the opportunity to improve the health and life chances of children who’ve had limited access to dental care. I strongly urge my colleagues to join up and help a kid in need”.
Well known Play School presenter and actress Brooke Satchwell has donated her time to front the campaign’s TV CSA. Australia’s biggest selling weekly magazine, Woman’s Day, has also thrown its support behind the project.
A number of Dental Corporation practices have given their support to the program and will also be treating kids requiring dental help.
Dental Care Network, launched in July 2008, is the consumer brand being used by Dental Corporation to provide potential patients with access to high quality dental treatment across NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and WA.
For more information, see www.dentalcarenetwork.com.au and www.brightsmiles.net.au, where dentists can find out about the program and register to volunteer.
Leonie Nichols
Marketing Manager
