BlueCare(R) Family Plan, the Medicaid (HUSKY) Health Plan Administered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Administrator, LLC in Connecticut, Raises Awareness, Funds and Dental Hygiene Supplies for Connecticut Food Bank

NORTH HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueCare(R) Family Plan, the Medicaid (HUSKY) health plan administered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Administrator, LLC in Connecticut, today announced the completion of its summertime public awareness campaign and dental drive for Connecticut Food Bank with a total contribution of more than $41,000 in funds and dental hygiene supplies.

Anthem, in collaboration with the Connecticut Sun and News Channel 8 and My TV 9, teamed up with Connecticut Food Bank to provide dental hygiene products to children in need throughout Connecticut through a campaign titled, "Give Tooth Decay the Brush."

The goal of the drive was to collect or buy enough toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss to assemble a minimum of 2,000 dental kits. Working in collaboration with Connecticut Food Bank, Anthem delivered the first 1,000 kits in May for distribution through Connecticut Food Bank's "Kids' Backpack Program," which sends home healthy food, snacks and beverages in the backpacks of school children in need.

"Connecticut Food Bank, its board and our clients are overwhelmed by the support Anthem and its employees have shown to us," said Nancy Carrington, executive director of Connecticut Food Bank. "We will be able to provide over 2,000 dental hygiene kits with Anthem's generous contribution," she explained. "Many people don't realize that basic dental hygiene is extremely important, particularly for young children, and that many of Connecticut's low-income families cannot afford the basic necessary supplies."

Statistics show that low-income children's lack of access to regular dental care can lead to some kind of dental health care crisis. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, poor oral health is linked to decreased school performance, poor social relationships and less success later in life. Children in low-income families are disproportionately impacted by oral health problems.

In addition to gathering dental supplies, Anthem also collected financial donations to support the program. Money raised during the drive will help Connecticut Food Bank's Kids' Backpack Program continue to grow. The current weekly backpack distribution cost is $10.50 per child. Additional supplies of toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and other oral hygiene products collected were provided to the Connecticut Food Bank to distribute through its 306 food pantries across the state.

"Many people don't realize that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease," said David R. Fusco, president Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut. "Children in low-income families have twice the number of cavities as other children. With statistics like these, we knew Anthem had to do something to make a difference and ensure that underprivileged children in Connecticut had access to the basic necessities for providing a healthy smile."

Scott Markovich, regional vice president of Anthem's State Sponsored Business unit, spearheaded the drive. "With an initial goal to collect $18,000 to support of the program, we are extremely proud to be able to provide Connecticut Food Bank $41,598.87 in product and cash," he explained. "The campaign was mainly an Anthem employee-driven initiative with employees contributing the majority of the funds and product donations. I'm very proud of how much our employees gave to support of this initiative. " Anthem's BlueCare Family Plan has donated more than $200,000 in the past year and a half to Connecticut's community organizations in support of low-income families.

Recently Markovich and members of his team delivered to Connecticut Food Bank another 1,000 dental kits for distribution through the Kids' BackPack Program and hundreds of additional dental items for distribution through food pantries. This brings Anthem's campaign to "Give Tooth Decay the Brush" to a successful conclusion.

Dental Hygiene Statistics

Statistics show that there's a strong connection between healthy mouths and gums and general overall health. According to the American Dental Association:

    -- Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease     -- Children in low-income families have twice the number of cavities as        other children     -- As many as 25 percent of needy children have never visited a dentist by        the time they enter kindergarten  

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, dental caries disease is the most common chronic disease impacting children.

-- Dental caries disease is five times more common than asthma

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan Administrator, LLC in Connecticut

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan Administrator, LLC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and BlueShield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut

CONTACT: Sarah Yeager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut, +1-203-859-0996