To help share tips about staying healthy, Spotlight will include a new column corresponding to the current focus area of the Global Wellness Program. For the second quarter of 2018, the focus of the program was hydration.

The human body is made up mostly of water – up to 70 percent. Water is needed for regulating body temperature, lubricating and cushioning joints, and protecting sensitive tissues among many other things. It is recommended that men should consume one gallon (3.8 liters) and women ¾ of a gallon (2.8 liters) of water each day. That may seem like quite an effort but there are many ways to stay hydrated. In fact, most people already consume roughly 20 percent of their daily fluid intake just from the food they eat. Eating foods with a high water content such as spinach, squash, berries, and watermelon can also help and may have the added benefit of aiding weight loss by increasing how full a person feels. Watermelon is made up of 93 percent water.

Remember that in hot weather, or when playing sports, the body needs more fluids. Drinking water is a healthy, noncaloric way to stay hydrated. Adding lemon or lime juice as a twist is a popular way to add flavor as well as Vitamin C to help boost the immune system.

“Wat’r You Drinking” Challenge

The York location took part in a challenge called “Wat’r You Drinking” (“What are you drinking”) as a wellness initiative to encourage employees to stay hydrated and reduce their sugary beverage intake. Sugary drinks are the largest single source of calories in the American diet, and account for half of all added sugar that the United States consumes.

The Corporate Benefits Team laid the groundwork for this challenge in which locations around the world could choose to participate. Employees who took part, pledged to consume at least 64 ounces of water each day while limiting the consumption of soft drinks and other sugary beverages. They tracked the number of 8-ounce glasses of water consumed each day. The 30-day challenge began on May 1st and employees received hydration facts each week as extra motivation. All of the participants had their names entered into a raffle to win a small, hydration-related prize at the end of the challenge. Water bottles were sold to employees at a substantial discount and all proceeds were donated to the non-profit organization charity: water, which works to bring clean water to those in need. The organization works in 26 countries around the world partnering with local organizations that provide long-lasting water and sanitation services. For the organization of the event a special thank you goes out to the Compensation and Benefits Team in York.

Long Island City goes green with new hydration system

The Long Island City (LIC) offices have completed a water project as both a Green Initiative and cost savings to offer all employees the ability to have great tasting water. The new machines operate in conjunction with the building’s water supply and carry a carbon filtration solution inside. This technology uses a 3M FM 1500 or FM 1500-B activated carbon filter, tested and certified by NSF (a public health and safety organization), to trap solid materials, impurities and contaminants associated with tap water. Carbon filtration is the most effective technology for neutralizing tastes and odors, so that only great-tasting water passes through. The new system replaces plastic water jugs and provides both hot and cold water.

Thank you to all of the employees of the LIC location for their consideration and understanding throughout this project. A special thanks to Joanne Pomerantz, Maintenance Supervisor, Will Autz, VP, Intraoral Manufacturing & Supply, Steve Mita, Director of Manufacturing Support, Mamia Dia, Manager, Facilities, Michael Samuels, Facilities Associate and Ed Gonzalez, HR Resources Manager and Dentsply Sirona Wellness Guru for all their team efforts.

If you are planning exciting events or challenges for global wellness, share your stories with the Corporate Communications Team: corporatecommunications@dentsplysirona.com.