Henry Schein and Its Suppliers Partner with the ADA, Colgate and DEXIS to Give Kids a Smile
Fifth-year initiative providing free dental screenings and treatment for over 750,000 underserved children is positioned to become umbrella program for year-round community-based efforts
MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2007--Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest distributor of healthcare products and services in the combined North American and European markets, today will partner with the American Dental Association (ADA) for the fifth straight year to support Give Kids A Smile Day, a program that is expected to provide free oral health services to more than 750,000 underserved children in 2,100 communities across the country. This year, the one-day initiative from the ADA will enlist more than 51,000 volunteer dental team members, who will provide free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families.
Sullivan-Schein Dental, the U.S. Dental division of Henry Schein, is once again serving as the exclusive distributor of professional products for Give Kids A Smile, extending one of the ADA's first partnerships with a private company to provide voluntary dental services at the national level. With the support of 46 participating supplier partners, Sullivan-Schein Dental is coordinating the flow of free supplies in 2,500 treatment and screening kits (each capable of serving 50 or more children) to 983 locations selected by the ADA in all 50 states, as well as internationally in Baghdad.
The contributions of Sullivan-Schein Dental and its supplier partners, in conjunction with Colgate-Palmolive and DEXIS, LLC, the two other primary corporate sponsors of Give Kids A Smile, are enabling the thousands of participating dentists and dental team members to provide free oral health services to underserved children. DEXIS is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of innovative digital X-ray systems, sold under the DEXIS(R) and DEXcare(R) brand names. DEXIS is the most highly awarded digital X-ray system on the market.
"We are delighted to be celebrating five years of partnership with the American Dental Association and our suppliers in growing Give Kids A Smile into the tremendous success it has become," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "This flagship program in our ongoing effort to help reduce disparities in oral healthcare access and delivery has been fully embraced by Team Schein Members, and this year nearly 200 of our Field Sales Consultants will participate in local Give Kids A Smile events across the country. It is a valuable initiative that exemplifies the power of voluntary public-private partnerships and their impact on local communities."
"Give Kids A Smile is unique because all facets of the dental community - clinical, academic and industry - come together with the common goal of helping ensure that underserved children receive proper oral healthcare," said Dr. Kathleen Roth, President of the ADA. "With the steadily growing support from our corporate sponsors and our members, the increased impact of their voluntary activities on local communities, and the heightened awareness of the importance of providing proper oral healthcare to our nation's children, we recognize that the potential for Give Kids A Smile is even greater. In the coming months, we hope to use the power of this one-day program to raise visibility, credibility and resources for community-based programs helping America's children year round."
Henry Schein's participation in Give Kids A Smile is part of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program, which is "helping health happen" through the use of corporate expertise and resources. The activities supported by Henry Schein Cares enhance healthcare advocacy and education; increase access to care among underserved populations; strengthen community wellness programs; and help prepare for and respond to disasters.
Give Kids A Smile Supplier Sponsors
Forty-six suppliers have generously donated products to Give Kids A Smile access programs in 2007. Below is the list of participating companies:
3M ESPE L&R Manufacturing, Inc. Acteon Medicom Inc. Ansell Healthcare Products LLC Microflex Corporation Axis Dental Corporation Mydent Corporation Biotrol International, Inc. Palmero Health Care Centrix, Inc. Premier Dental Products Company Coltene / Whaledent, Inc. Richmond Dental Crosstex International, Inc. SDS Kerr DASH(R) Medical Gloves Sempermed USA Inc. DENTSPLY Caulk Septodont, Inc. DENTSPLY Pharmaceutical Sherman Specialties DENTSPLY Professional Southern Dental DEXIS, LLC SS White Burs, Inc. Dukal Corporation Sultan Healthcare Dux Dental Sunstar Butler Flow X-Ray Surgical Specialties Corporation GC America TIDI(R) Products Harry J. Bosworth Company TotalCare Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company Tuttnauer Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. Waterpik Technologies, Inc. J&J Instruments Young Dental Manufacturing Johnson & Johnson Dental Zenith Dental Kavo America Kuraray America, Inc.
About Give Kids A Smile
The ADA created Give Kids A Smile as an annual vehicle to focus national attention on what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a "silent epidemic" of oral disease affecting children from low-income families, and to build support for public and private solutions that will help these children get regular oral health care. As noted in the Surgeon General's 2000 report, Oral Health in America, dental decay is the most common disease affecting U.S. children, occurring at five times the rate of asthma and seven times that of hay fever. Millions of children suffer from untreated, easily preventable oral diseases that affect overall health, including speech, eating patterns and the ability to concentrate in school.
As part of Give Kids A Smile Day, dentists and dental team members around the country are providing a range of dental services and educational programs for underserved children, while highlighting for policy makers the ongoing challenges that low-income and disabled children face in accessing dental care. Today's events include in-school brushing demonstrations, community screening and treatment programs, and free private dental care.
About the ADA
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 153,000 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.
About Henry Schein
Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 500,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions.
The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 70,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as over 100,000 additional products available to our customers as special order items.
Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions for healthcare professionals, such as ArubA(R), the Company's electronic catalog and ordering system. Its leading practice-management software solutions have been installed in more than 50,000 practices, including DENTRIX(R) and Easy Dental(R) for dental practices, and AVImark(R) for veterinary clinics.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 11,000 people and has operations in 19 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $4.6 billion in 2005. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.
CONTACT: Henry Schein, Inc.
Susan Vassallo, 631-843-5562
Director, Corporate Communications
susan.vassallo@henryschein.com
SOURCE: Henry Schein, Inc.