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View all WDA press releases issued during the past 12+ months.

Give Kids A Smile® providing local children with needed dental care for 10 years
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Jan. 31, 2012 - More than 5,650 low-income Wisconsin children will receive $945,000 in donated dental care this Friday, Feb. 3 and during upcoming weeks, as part of the 10th annual Give Kids A Smile® children's dental access program.

State dental association's public awareness efforts win national, regional awards
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Dec. 1, 2011 – The Wisconsin Dental Association's "Promoting Early Childhood Dental Health" program, which combines continuing education for dental professionals with a public awareness campaign, has won a 2011 American Dental Association Golden Apple Award.

Lani Becker named WDA associate executive director
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 30, 2011 – Lanette (Lani) Becker, CAE has been promoted to associate executive director of the Wisconsin Dental Association effective Dec. 1, 2011 announced Executive Director Mark Paget today.

Dr. Steven Stoll elected state dental association president
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 15, 2011 – Dr. Steven Stoll, a Menasha resident with a general dental practice in Neenah, was sworn in as president of the 3,000-member WDA at the organization's 141st House of Delegates held Nov. 11 - 12 at The American Club in Kohler, Wis.

WDA recognizes 12 for contributions to dentistry, public oral health
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 10, 2011 – De Pere resident and Green Bay pediatric dentist Dr. James Conrardy is the 2011 Wisconsin Dental Association Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in recognition of his significant contributions of time, energy and expertise to organized dentistry throughout his 31-year career.

WDA response to letter from Pew Children’s Dental Campaign
SEPT. 29, 2011 - Dr. Eugene Shoemaker, a general dentist in Waukesha and president of the Wisconsin Dental Association, today released the following statement in response to a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services from the director of the Pew Children’s Dental Campaign. The letter urges the State of Wisconsin – which received a "C" in the Pew Center’s recent annual report card on dental health policies for youth – to do more to reduce barriers to oral health care faced by low-income children in the Badger State.

Groups come together to form statewide Healthy Choices Coalition to reduce barriers to dental care
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Sept. 21, 2011 - The Wisconsin Dental Association today announced it has joined with seven other organizations to form the Healthy Choices Coalition, a group dedicated to helping reduce barriers to oral health care in the Badger State.

Low-cost ‘Healthy Choices’ could reduce barriers to care
In response to the recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s “Empty Cradles” story, a WDA letter to the editor identifies low-cost, legislative “Healthy Choices” for reducing barriers to care and pinpoints why Wisconsin must work creatively to get people the oral health care that’s essential to healthy babies and lives.

245 elderly, disabled receive $762,000 in donated dental care
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Aug. 25, 2011 - Two-hundred and forty-five disabled, senior, poor and uninsured adults across the state received $762,366 worth of comprehensive dental treatment at no cost to them from some 200 volunteer dentists between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 under the Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation's Donated Dental Services program. In addition, 75 dental laboratories gave $42,151 in materials and services.

Building Commission halts use of $10 million for dental school
Media statewide report a Building Commission letter recently sent to Marshfield Clinic limits use of $10 million state grant (approved in late 2010 by Doyle administration) to construction of a "dental outreach facility" for training dental residents and post-baccalaureate students and, therefore, cannot be used to build a dental school. The WDA has issued a statement supporting the Building Commission’s decision.

WDA Foundation awards $14,000 in dental and hygiene scholarships
WEST ALLIS, WIS., July 20, 2011 – The WDA Foundation has awarded $14,000 in scholarships to 11 state residents attending dental or dental hygiene school in Wisconsin.

Three Wisconsin communities recognized for public fluoridation efforts
Three Wisconsin cities – Amery, New Richmond and Whitewater – recognized nationally for helping prevent tooth decay among residents through local water fluoridation.

$1.12 million in free dental care provided to 1,570 at WDA Mission of Mercy
WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 30, 2011 - An estimated $1.12 million in charitable dental care was provided to 1,570 children and adults during 2,141 patient visits at the Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation’s third Mission of Mercy held June 24 and 25, at Greenheck Field House in Weston, Wis.

2,000 patients to receive $1 million in free dental care June 24 and 25 in Wausau
WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 22, 2011 - Greenheck Field House to be transformed into large-scale dental clinic treating adults and children who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to visit a dental office.

985 volunteers from 163 communities to provide $1 million in free dental care in central Wisconsin
WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 16, 2011 - Approximately 985 volunteers from 163 Wisconsin communities will be in the Wausau area next week to provide $1 million in free dental care to some 2,000 children and adults on June 24 and 25 at Greenheck Field House, 6400 Alderson St., Weston, Wis. (5.5 miles southeast of Wausau).

WDA Mission of Mercy to provide free dental care to 30 Special Olympians
WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 9, 2011 - Thirty Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes will be among the estimated 2,000 individuals receiving an estimated $1 million in free dental care at the third annual Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy (MOM) on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 near Wausau.

Third WDA Mission of Mercy bringing free dental care to Wausau area
WEST ALLIS, WIS., June 2, 2011 – The Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation are bringing the third annual WDA Mission of Mercy to the Greenheck Field House, 6400 Alderson St., Weston, Wis. (5.5 miles southeast of Wausau) on June 24 and 25 to provide free dental care to children and adults who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to visit a dental office.

WDA response to Pew's 'The State of Children's Dental Health' report
MAY 24, 2011 - Dr. Gene Shoemaker, a Waukesha general dentist and president of the Wisconsin Dental Association, today released the following statement after the Pew Center on the States gave the state of Wisconsin a "C" in the Center's annual report card on dental health policies for children. Among other things, the report found the Badger State fails to provide adequate access to dental care for children in its Medicaid system.

WDA statement on cone beam CT technology in local dental offices
MAY 10, 2011 - Dr. Eugene Shoemaker, a Waukesha general dentist and WDA president, today issued the following statement regarding the use of cone beam CT technology in local dental offices.

'Healthy choices' legislation offers cost-effective way to improve state's oral and overall health
Thousands of children and adults in Wisconsin suffer from untreated dental problems, missing sleep, school and work due to pain and infection. They can’t eat properly or smile, and because oral health is critical to overall health, they risk other problems including heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications and oral cancer. As a general dentist, I’ve had to extract deteriorated teeth from children who were never taught to brush. I’ve diagnosed advanced gum disease in young adults who had never seen a dentist.

During Family Wellness Month, dentists stress importance of proper dental care
WEST ALLIS, WIS., May 2, 2011 – Evidence shows that tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health complications may be linked to a variety of universal health conditions, yet many individuals and health care professionals are still unaware of this important mouth-body connection. This is according to a new report released by the Institute of Medicine that encourages greater initiative by federal agencies to improve oral health and oral health care in America.

WDA Foundation awards $38,100 to 19 dental health programs
WEST ALLIS, WIS., April 26, 2011 – The Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation has announced $38,100 in grants to 19 programs that bring oral health care to low-income Wisconsin residents and provide other dentistry-related services.

Wisconsin dentists take environmental stewardship seriously
WEST ALLIS, WIS., April 18, 2011 – Dentists' primary concern – and responsibility – is the health of their patients. Earth Day is this Friday, but dentists across Wisconsin work hard every day to ensure a healthy, safe environment inside and outside the dental office.

An April Fools' 'Ode to Floss and Loss'
WEST ALLIS, WIS., March 29, 2011 – The 2,900 member dentists of the Wisconsin Dental Association remind people of all ages that practicing good daily oral hygiene is no joke even on April Fools' Day. This "Ode to Floss and Loss" was penned by WDA member and Sheboygan general dentist Dr. Robert Darling who has a special appreciation for another doctor – Dr. Seuss.

Free dental health fun for families at 21st annual Smile Day at the Zoo
WEST ALLIS, WIS., March 21, 2011 – Families are invited to attend the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association’s 21st annual Smile Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Road, on Saturday, March 26 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Healthy baby teeth foster good nutrition
WEST ALLIS, WIS., March 1, 2011 – National Nutrition Month is a good time to remind parents and caregivers that healthy baby teeth are very important for proper chewing, which encourages the balanced diet necessary for children’s physical development.

Good dental health important in battle against heart disease
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Feb. 16, 2011 – The health of your gums could have a lot to do with the health of your heart, some experts say.

Mondovi's Dr. Anthony Sciascia new president of dental association foundation
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Feb. 15, 2011 – Dr. Anthony M. Sciascia, a Mondovi resident and general dentist, was elected president of the Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation during the organization's 53rd annual meeting. His term runs through December 2011.

Dental association wants parents, caregivers to know 'Baby Teeth Matter!'
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Feb. 9, 2011 – The 2,900-member Wisconsin Dental Association wants parents and caregivers to know that baby teeth, even though they eventually fall out, are very important to a child's early physical, social and emotional development.

Waukesha’s Dr. Eugene Shoemaker elected state dental association president
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 15, 2010 – Dr. Eugene Shoemaker, a Waukesha resident and general dentist, was sworn in as the 139th president of the 2,900-member Wisconsin Dental Association on Nov. 13 during the organization’s annual House of Delegates at the Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, Wis.

WDA Foundation awards $37,700 to 18 dental health programs
WEST ALLIS, WIS., April 14, 2010 – The Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation has announced $37,700 in grants to 18 programs that bring oral health care to low-income Wisconsin residents and provide other dentistry-related services.

State's most-recent study again finds increasing dental Medicaid funding key to improving access to care
WEST ALLIS, WIS., March 26, 2010 – The Wisconsin Dental Association, which represents 83 percent of licensed dentists in the state, agrees with the findings of the Department of Health Services' recently-released Oral Health Education Study and its recommendation to pilot a program in which a dental benefits administrator would be hired to focus on delivering oral health care to Medicaid recipients.

WDA welcomes PEW Center on the States' review of children's dental health
WEST ALLIS, WIS., Feb. 23, 2010 – The Wisconsin Dental Association, which represents 83 percent of the state’s licensed dentists, today commended the PEW Center on the States for releasing its report card on dental health policies for children and helping raise awareness of the great need to do a better job for our nation’s low-income youngsters.

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