Henry Schein Inc. will donate $250,000 in healthcare products to the America’s Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF) throughout the next 2 years. The supplies will support ADCF’s Mission of Mercy (MOM) clinics, which provide free dental care to underserved patients across the United States.
“Given the integral connection between good oral health and overall health, access to proper dental care is an essential component of community wellness,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Henry Schein. “Despite its importance, access to oral care is limited or nonexistent for many underserved populations.”
Henry Schein will donate product kits valued at $5,000 each, including exam gloves, surgical facemasks, gowns, and medical gauze, to up to 50 MOM events in 2016 and 2017. Each 2-day MOM event serves an average of 1,600 patients on a first-come, first-served basis, no questions asked.
During MOM events, volunteer dentists and dental hygienists provide dental exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions, and instructions on proper oral hygiene to people in need. Dental assistants and lay volunteers also contribute to each event’s operation.
“MOM volunteers provide more than just quality oral healthcare. They restore a person’s confidence in their smile,” said ADCF executive director Bill Blasing. “Henry Schein’s donation will make an important contribution to our efforts to expand access to care to as many people as possible.”
Dentists in Kansas and Nebraska began hosting MOM clinics in 2003 and 2005, respectively. After lending their own equipment to support the growing number of clinics, they formed ADCF in 2008 to own, maintain, and provide the equipment necessary to host events. The organization now owns 3 semi-trailers, each with the equipment, tools, and instruments needed for a dental clinic.
“We applaud Mission of Mercy for providing immediate treatment to people in need and for raising community awareness of the critical importance of oral care,” said Bergman. “All of us at Henry Schein are pleased to stand with the ADCF to help health happen.”
For information about upcoming MOM events, go to the ADCF website.
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