American Dental Association Appoints Clay Mickel to Oversee Communications, Marketing and Corporate Relations.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 2004

The American Dental Association (ADA) announces the appointment of Clay Mickel to the newly created position of associate executive director, Communications & Corporate Relations, effective immediately.

Formalizing a corporate relations function represents a commitment by the ADA to develop and enhance, as well as coordinate and systematize, its relationships with dental product manufacturers and other corporate entities the ADA does business with.

"We are extremely pleased Clay has agreed to accept this key assignment," said ADA Executive Director James B. Bramson, D.D.S. "He brings a keen understanding of the needs of the dental profession and how to balance them with the needs of the oral health care industry to bring great benefit to the patients we serve."

Over the past several years, Mickel has worked closely with the dental industry on a variety of sponsorships, including the highly successful "Give Kids A Smile," an award-winning national program that has provided free oral care to millions of low-income children.

Mickel's responsibilities will include providing strategic direction and vision in planning, developing and managing the various ADA communications programs. He also is responsible for enhancing the ADA brand and image of dentistry.

Mickel, who has been with the nation's premier professional dental organization for 11 years, served most recently as its associate executive director for the Division of Communications.

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 149,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org.