Wrigleys and ADAF open applications for US$295,200 in grants

The Wrigley Company Foundation has signed a 3-year commitment with the Australian Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) to provide US$295,000 in funding to help build the gap in access to oral care services and dental education throughout Australia. The grants recognise the vital need to improve Australia's dental health by increasing the annual funding by 46% over 2012.

Over US$98,000 with be available annually through 13 grants:

• 8 x US$6,000 Community Service Grants for registered licensed dental professionals;
• 4 x US$6,000 Community Service Grants for currently enrolled dentistry students; and for the first time
• 1 x US$10,000 for "Principles in Action" Community Service Grant to support large scale projects.

Introduced in collaboration with ADA Inc. in 2011, the Community Service Grants program is designed to encourage dentists, dental students and teams of dental professionals to set-up oral health services, education and provide treatment free-of-charge to some of Australia's most disadvantaged communities. Grants provide the necessary funding to cover the purchase of supplies and other expenses, so that they can either commence or expand existing community service programs.

"A renewed 3-year partnership for the Community Service Grant program with the Wrigley Company Foundation will help the ADAF to make some critical in roads into improving the oral care for Australia's most high risk groups and advance our mission to improve the nation's oral health," said Wendy Tancred, Chair of the ADAF Advisory Board.

"ADAF and the Wrigley Company Foundation are united by their goal to improve Australia's oral health. Given that recent studies show us that 40% of Australians cannot access dental care when they need it, we hope that this new grant commitment will support dental professionals to put their principles into action to make a difference in the community," said Andrew Leakey, General Manager, Wrigley Pacific.

Previous grantees who have made a difference for high risk groups such as the elderly, disabled, homeless, Indigenous or children's groups, include the Kimberley Dental Team Inc; Cerebral Palsy Alliance; Tooth Mob; and Hope4Health (Griffith University).

For the full application criteria and to apply for the Community Service Grants, visit www.adaf.org.au and download an application form. Applications close 30th June, 2013.