Henry Schein, Inc. has announced its continued support of TeamSmile, a non-profit organisation that provides children in need a life-changing dental experience through the power of sports.
For this year’s programme, Henry Schein Dental, the dental business of Henry Schein, donated US$30,000 in cash, nearly US$40,000 in dental supplies and personal protective equipment, as well as transportation of all materials to and from 18 programme sites.
In addition, Henry Schein One, a Henry Schein subsidiary, has provided US$25,000 in cash, as well as training and a monthly subscription for Henry Schein One’s practice management software, Dentrix Ascend®, valued at US$25,000. Since the programme’s inception in 2007, Henry Schein has provided approximately US$1 million in products, supplies, and transportation and donated hundreds of volunteer hours from Team Schein.
“Henry Schein Dental and Henry Schein One are pleased to continue our support of TeamSmile, helping to ensure that children in need have access to quality oral health care,” said Navin Gupta, vice-president of Marketing, Henry Schein Dental, and TeamSmile Board Member. “We are eager to help close the gap of health care inequities by working with an organisation that continues to find unique ways to inspire, heal, and engage communities in need. Together, we can continue to ‘help health happen’.”
TeamSmile takes a unique approach to delivering care by partnering with professional sports teams and major college athletic departments to set up large-scale dental clinics in major stadiums and arenas throughout the country.
Additionally, TeamSmile brings a combination of players, cheerleaders, mascots, a DJ, and face painters to create a special experience for the children who attend TeamSmile dental clinics, which has served more than 40,000 children and provided more than US$17 million in free dental care and oral health education in its 15-year history.
“Since inception, Henry Schein has been integral to the success of TeamSmile,” said John McCarthy, executive director, TeamSmile. “We are proud of our continued partnership with Team Schein, and the impact we have together made to help tens of thousands of children nationwide. We will continue to work diligently to make a positive impact on children in need, one child at a time, and are grateful and thankful for the support and partnership from Henry Schein.”
According to the CDC, “increased efforts to more effectively integrate dental programs focused on prevention, screening, and risk assessment within primary care should be pursued to expand access to oral health services for vulnerable populations.”
