A very important call to action.

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Last month, the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) joined forces with the National Children's Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) to reach out to children and their families in a cooperative effort to end pediatric dental disease, the most common chronic childhood illness in America. The fundraising effort is called the Dental Hygienists' Toothfairy Campaign.

"Our community continues to be a leader in the effort to develop solutions to this national health crisis," wrote Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, editorial director of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene in an email message accompanying the appeal. "A strong show of support to the Toothfairy Campaign will help thousands of children and show our strong and deep commitment to this underserved population."

Signed by Rethman as well as Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, BA, MS; editor in chief of Modern Hygienist; Tammi O. Byrd, RDH, CEO/director of Health Prevention Specialists and Craig Dickson, group publisher for PennWell, the campaign calls for dental hygienists to "make this the Dental Hygienist Charity Of Choice for children."

One hundred percent of contributions go to community-based preventive pediatric oral health programs. To make a donation, call [phone] or visit www.toothfairycampaign.org.