500th Life Restored Thanks to AACD’s Give Back A Smile Program
Give Back A Smile, the non-profit foundation of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) has news certain to make everyone smile: it recently completed its 500th case and to date has provided more than $4 million dollars worth of donated . . .
500th Life Restored Thanks to AACD’s Give Back A Smile Program
February 21, 2007 – Madison, WI – Give Back A Smile, the non-profit foundation of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) has news certain to make everyone smile: it recently completed its 500th case and to date has provided more than $4 million dollars worth of donated services to survivors of domestic violence.
The mission of the Give Back A Smile program is to “restore a life by restoring a smile” and achieves this by providing free cosmetic dental care to victims of domestic violence.
“Time after time we have watched lives change as these survivors regain their self-esteem as a result of having their smiles’ restored,” said AACD Foundation Director Erin Roberts. “We are overjoyed that AACD volunteers have given so much of themselves by helping those in need and allowing the Give Back A Smile Program to reach this monumental milestone.”
Finding Help Through Give Back A Smile
o Domestic violence survivors who have suffered dental injuries from abuse from a former intimate partner or spouse can contact GBAS toll-free at: 800.773.GBAS (4227).
o Survivors must make an appointment with a counselor, domestic violence advocate, social worker or therapist to complete the advocate section of the GBAS application.
o GBAS conducts the initial review of the application however the dentist has the final say as to the eligibility of the applicant.
o If eligible, the AACD connects the survivor with a local GBAS volunteer who provides treatment at no charge to the recipient.
Restoring Smiles – and Lives
In July 2001, the AACD was one of only eight organizations in the world to receive the Award of Excellence and the prestigious Associations Advance America Summit Award for its GBAS program. The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), of Washington, D.C, sponsors this yearly national competition to recognize the charitable organizations that make the most effort to advance American society.
Since its founding in 1984, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD) has been dedicated to advancing excellence in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry and encouraging the highest standards of ethical conduct and responsible patient care among cosmetic dentists. The AACD and its more than 7,600 members focus on creating beautiful smiles through services like teeth whitening, lifelike porcelain veneers, and natural-colored restorations, as well as providing trends, statistics and information to the public. The AACD Charitable Foundation’s primary program, Give Back A Smile™, is dedicated to providing cosmetic dental care at no cost to survivors of domestic violence. Give Back A Smile raises awareness of domestic violence and gives survivors of domestic violence hope for a better tomorrow – truly something to smile about. For more information, visit: www.aacd.com.
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