Wrigley Keeps Kids Smiling Through Donation to American Dental Associati...( Effort Encourages American...),Health

Effort Encourages Americans to Help Kids Receive Care

CHICAGO, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In honor of National Children's Dental Health Month this February, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (NYSE: WWY) is donating $100,000 plus 10 percent of February gross sales in the U.S. (up to another $100,000) of Orbit(R), Extra(R) and Eclipse(R) sugar-free gums to Give Kids A Smile(R), an annual American Dental Association (ADA) program that provides free oral health education, screening and treatment services to hundreds of thousands of children in need.*

"For nearly 20 years Wrigley has championed the oral health benefits of chewing gum by sharing extensive clinical research results with dental professionals and consumers around the world. In September our long-standing commitment to oral health care was validated when Orbit, Extra and Eclipse became the first and only chewing gums in the U.S. to earn the trusted ADA Seal of Acceptance," said Paul Chibe, Wrigley's Vice President of North American Gum Marketing. "Sharing the ADA's passion and commitment to better oral care, we are happy to support the 'Give Kids A Smile' program."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although tooth decay is largely preventable, it is the most common chronic disease of children 5 to 17 years old in the U.S,(1) and it is estimated that 52 million class hours are missed every year in U.S. schools because of oral health problems that go untreated.(2)

Dr. Harvey Passes, a long-time practicing dentist who is teaming up with Wrigley to promote the importance of good oral care, says a unified effort is needed. "With the help of so many dentists who volunteer their time and the companies and individuals who financi
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