WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colgate-Palmolive Company has been named the exclusive sponsor of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA)/Colgate/Academy for Academic Leadership Institute for Allied Health Educators. In this role, Colgate has committed a half of a million dollars in support of this professional development program over the course of the next five years.
"This significant sponsorship demonstrates Colgate's strong commitment to helping ADEA and AAL advance excellence in allied health education," says ADEA Executive Director Richard W. Valachovic, D.M.D. "Colgate's commitment to supporting programs that improve oral health in communities around the world is also evident in their support of ADEA's scholarships, awards, and fellowship activities."
Dr. Valachovic credits Barbara Shearer, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D., Colgate's Director of Scientific Affairs, for moving the multi-year initiative forward. "It is my personal and professional goal to help advance allied dental education and oral health," says Dr. Shearer. "It has been my pleasure to pursue and confirm this important educational initiative and I look forward to seeing the growth of the program through Colgate's multi-year support."
Launched in 2007 as an on-site program at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry, this professional development program prepares faculty for successful academic careers in dental hygiene, dental assisting, dental laboratory technology and other allied health programs. Dental hygiene faculty have made up more than 90% of all participants in the program thus far.
In 2009, the Academic Leadership Institute for Allied Health Educators became an online program. Karl Haden, Ph.D., AAL President, underscored the program's success, "To date, nearly 400 allied health faculty have participated in the ADEA/AAL IAHE. Colgate's sponsorship will enable ADEA and AAL to enhance the program's quality, expand content, and improve faculty development outcomes."
The Institute's key instructors include Cindy Amyot, RDH, Ed.D, and Pamela R. Overman, RDH, Ed.D, both at the UMKC School of Dentistry.
ADEA expects that the demand for participation will significantly increase with the support provided by Colgate, and recognizes the substantial impact this initiative will have on allied health education and oral health. For more information, please visit www.adea.org.
About the American Dental Education Association
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is the voice of dental education. Its members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools and many allied and postdoctoral dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students. The mission of ADEA is to lead individuals and institutions of the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the health of the public. ADEA's activities encompass a wide range of research, advocacy, faculty development, meetings, and communications like the esteemed Journal of Dental Education, as well as the dental school admissions services AADSAS, PASS, and CAAPID.
The American Dental Education Association logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12061
About Colgate-Palmolive Company
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate-Palmolive sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Elmex, Tom's of Maine, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet. For more information about Colgate-Palmolive's global business, visit the Company's web site at www.Colgate.com. To learn more about Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® oral health education program, please visit www.ColgateBSBF.com.
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