Dentists, sponsors gear up for GKAS Feb. 1

Generous donations from corporate sponsors will make it possible for thousands of dentists nationwide to Give Kids A Smile Feb. 1 and help raise awareness about the needs of underserved children.

Colgate has donated dental products鈥攖oothbrushes, toothpaste, educational brochures and plastic bags for kids to tote their goodies in.

“At Colgate, we are honored to be the national consumer products sponsor for Give Kids A Smile for the second year in a row,” said Dr. Fotinos S. Panagakos, director of professional relations for Colgate-Palmolive Co. “We strongly believe that all children should have access to dental care and look forward to continuing our support for GKAS through education and product and financial donations.

“Colgate’s support for GKAS in 2008 includes more than 300,000 kids’ toothbrushes and 300,000 kids’ toothpaste for use by volunteers, as well as in-store promotional materials and a Sunday newspaper coupon promoting the event.”

Henry Schein Dental’s donations include gloves, patient bibs, masks, plastic cups, tongue depressors, gauze pads, dental floss, prophy angles, prophy paste, fluoride gel, foam, varnish and trays, chair sleeves and disinfectant solution.

“Team Schein is proud to support Give Kids A Smile for a sixthconsecutive year,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer, Henry Schein. “This flagship program for Henry Schein Cares, our corporate global citizenship program, has become a cornerstone in our efforts to help increase access to care for underserved populations both in the United States and abroad.

“Team Schein Members around the country will partner with our customers and supplier partners to participate in this year’s Give Kids A Smile initiative. With 50 supplier partners providing over one million dollars in product donations, Give Kids A Smile exemplifies what can be accomplished in thousands of communities through public-private partnerships between industry, the dental community and the ADA.”

For its sixth year, DEXIS is donating the use of 50 digital X-ray systems and personnel to assist in taking radiographs at dental school GKAS programs.

“Since standard radiographs can be time consuming, using the DEXIS Digital X-ray System expedites the process so more children can be treated,” said Candy B. Ross, DEXIS, L.L.C. “The goal is to see as many children as possible, so every minute counts.

“Access to care is a national crisis,” added Ms. Ross. “It is hard to imagine a child having to stay home from school due to dental pain that is easily treated. We are also committed to the GKAS Advisory Board, developed to expand this program fro just one day. GKAS is a significant part of our overall mission to support our customers and give back to the dental profession.”聽