MEDIA RELEASE
Female Para-cyclist of the year Carol Cooke AM and refugee advocate Mariam Issa named as the 2016 Smile Ambassadors
Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) is set to officially announce Carol Cooke AM and Mariam Issa as the 2016 Smile Ambassadors, at the 2015 Public Oral Health Awards in Melbourne next week (November 26).
Paralympic Gold medallist Carol Cooke and refugee advocate Mariam Issa were awarded dual ambassadorship. Both are also successful authors and community workers.
“I accepted the ambassadorship because I think it is important to get the message out to every demographic of the population how important our dental health is,’’ says Carol who was last week named female Para-cyclist of the year.
“Our health really starts with our teeth and oral health because if that fails a lot of other health related things do as well. Make sure you look after your oral health.”
Mariam said she hoped she could contribute to letting everyone know that oral health is part of better health.
“What drives me is the need for a just and equal world for humanity, where everyone is treated with the dignity they deserve. Oral health is very important and a big part of our holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle so don't neglect it,” she says.
DHSV CEO, Dr Deborah Cole said it was “an absolute delight to have two talented and dedicated women as our dual 2016 Smile of the Year.”
“I am sure they will both make an excellent contribution in raising the awareness of oral health and the need oral health to be recognised as being part of overall general health.”
“DHSV remains committed to treating as many eligible patients as possible and extending our reach into the communities that need treatment and care.
For more information please contact Media and Community Relations Manager Suzana Talevski on 0407 961 413