Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Our Mission: To Improve the Oral Health of All

By Fay Donohue

Today is one of those days when I think I must have the best job in the world.  This morning I’ll be addressing DentaQuest employees across our entire enterprise to speak about our mission, and to kick off a day of service where we will be working in communities across the country.  And all of this we do as we recognize and celebrate our corporate mission which is to improve the oral health of all.

Our employees are all motivated to engage in meaningful work in our local communities today. In Westborough, MA and Calverton, MD, Columbia, SC, Coral Gables, FL and Mequon, Grafton and Glen Oaks, WI and in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, DentaQuest employees will work together to make a difference and support our communities. We will be helping at middle schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity sites and food banks.

As a company we understand the importance of preventive care and need to take a leading role in increasing access to quality, affordable oral health care. This day of service demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve and underscores our passion to support healthy communities and help others.

Our mission is at the core of everything we do and stand for here at DentaQuest. Click here for interesting facts on this dental disease. Dental disease isn’t usually top-of-mind in the national conversation about health care—but it is a serious, chronic, infectious illness—and is preventable.

  • Dental disease (cavities) is the most common chronic disease in children, more common than asthma.
  • Every year across the United States, children miss 52 million school hours due to dental disease, and adults lose close to 164 million work hours.
  • In 2010, Americans spent $106 billion dollars in oral care.
  • More than 30 million people could not get treatment, including 1 out of 5 children.

During today’s “Recommitment to our Mission Day,” we will be supporting healthy communities across the country so more children have places to play and learn, more families have food to eat and a roof over their heads. And that’s part of our mission. A nation where no child suffers from the pain of tooth decay. Where adults keep all their teeth in good health for their entire lives. And, where every person has access to quality dental care.