by Dr. Jeff Dalin
Editor’s Note: Dr. Jeff Dalin is the author of this article and one of the co-founders of Give Kids a Smile. Dentists in the St. Louis area are extremely proud that Give Kids a Smile was founded in their city 10 years ago and has delivered more than $5 million of dental care to nearly 10,000 children who otherwise would not have access to dental care.
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile program, and help put their vision of eliminating cavities in children by 2020 on the fast track!
You can team up with Give Kids A Smile, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein Cares when they sponsor free oral health screenings, and also sponsor Greg Biffle’s NASCAR car #16 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The mission statement of the National Advisory Board of the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile Program is: “We are the professional and industry alliance dedicated to the elimination of cavities in American five year olds by 2020 through our ability to nurture and enhance community-based children’s oral health and wellness programs that are expandable, sustainable, and innovative.”
John Stefanick, director of industry and professional relations at 3M ESPE, thought leveraging one of his company’s assets, namely the NASCAR 3M Racing Team, would generate interest and raise funds for Give Kids A Smile.
“We love the idea of bringing together one of the most popular sporting events with a dental health message about oral care for children,” he said. “By working with Henry Schein Cares and the American Dental Association, and with the support of dental professionals and the dental industry, we feel we can bring a strong oral health and education message to thousands of fans at the race and raise awareness and funds to help the Give Kids A Smile Program accomplish its goals.”
NASCAR driver Greg Biffle’s #16 3M ESPE car will display its usual colors and sponsors along with Give Kids A Smile and Henry Schein Cares logos at the Oct. 15th race in Charlotte, N.C.
“We want to get our message out to NASCAR nation and deliver oral hygiene education, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, and digital radiographs to hundreds of children on the day of the race. We also hope to raise money to support Give Kids A Smile as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012,” said Steve Kess, chair of the GKAS advisory board and vice president of global professional relations at Henry Schein.
Many dentists not able to participate in the Give Kids A Smile can now show their support and receive a collector’s edition, die-cast NASCAR car #16 with custom replica graphics, and a unique commemorative plaque to display in their office. Everyone is encouraged to visit www.henryscheindental.com/gkasnascar to support this program and help it achieve its mission.
Jeffrey B. Dalin, DDS, FACD, FAGD, FICD, practices general dentistry in St. Louis. Contact Dr. Dalin at [email protected].
