School of Dentistry donates toothpaste to food banks

Dr. Aucoin stands with Food Bank representatives with the toothpaste from the School on May 5th.

The Alberta Dental Foundation (ADF) launched a project this month in partnership with food banks in Alberta. The Alberta Dental Foundation purchased 20,000 kits (with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss) that have been sent directly to the Fort McMurray Food bank because they are in a crisis situation as a result of recent flooding. They are also providing 25,000 kits to the main Alberta Food Bank warehouse in Leduc to be distributed throughout Alberta.

Along with their corporate partners Colgate and GUM, the project was supported by the Alberta Dental Association & College (ADA&C) who donated over 35,000 children's toothbrushes and the University of Alberta School of Dentistry who donated over 6500 toothpaste samples.

Trudy Aucoin, Clinical Associate Professor at the School of Dentistry and ADF board member says, "Oral health care products are in demand but rarely get donated, so the food banks have to purchase them." She says, "We will be sending out a request to all dentists to consider donating to their local food banks during these challenging times."

The ADF is a new charitable foundation supported by the ADA&C dedicated to improving access to dental care for underserved and low-income Albertans. It's mandate is to support charitable organizations that improve oral health for these populations throughout Alberta. More information can be found on their website at albertadentalfoundation.ca.

This was featured in the Edmonton Journal and you can read their story here.