SEATTLE, March 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Dental

Education Association (ADEA) has awarded a fellowship to support

advocating for public policy that positively impacts dental education

and oral health care. Mark S. Schweizer, D.D.S., M.P.H., Assistant

Professor and Director of Development and Special Projects at NOVA

Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was named the 2013

ADEA/Sunstar Americas, Inc./Harry W. Bruce, Jr. Legislative Fellow at

the 2013 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition, being held March 16-19 in

Seattle, Washington.

"This fellowship offers an exciting opportunity for dental educators to

immerse themselves in the federal legislative process," says ADEA

President Gerald N. Glickman, D.D.S., M.S., M.B.A., J.D. "It is crucial

that policymakers recognize the enormous impact that dental education

has on the oral health of all Americans. ADEA has had the support of

Sunstar Americas, Inc., in the pursuit of this goal for more than 25

years and for that we are grateful."

Dr. Schweizer will work for three months as a staff member for the ADEA

Policy Center in Washington, DC, supporting the legislative process as

it relates to dental education, dental and craniofacial research, and

the oral health of the nation. He will have the opportunity to draft

policy and advocate and educate members of Congress on matters of

importance in dental education, such as federal student loans, loan

repayment, scholarship programs, and access to oral health care.

"The improvement of patients' oral health should be the common motive

held by legislators, dental professionals, and dental educators alike.

Yet, there is opportunity for improved communication and collaboration

between leaders in dental education and national policymakers," says

Aaron Pfarrer, Senior Director of Professional Relations at Sunstar

Americas, Inc. "ADEA has been firm in its commitment to building the

alliances necessary for these groups to work together. By supporting

this fellowship, Sunstar Americas, Inc., proudly stands with ADEA and

Dr. Glickman in this effort."

Since its inception in 1985, ADEA's Harry W. Bruce, Jr. Legislative

Fellowship has been generously underwritten by Sunstar Americas, Inc.,

manufacturer of GUM(R), Butler(R) and Guidor(R) oral care products.