The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program was recently awarded a 2015 Power of A Gold Award by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Power of A Awards showcase how associations leverage their unique resources to solve problems, advance industry/professional performance, kickstart innovation, and improve world conditions. This year, GBAS was one of thirty programs selected for a Gold Award from 140 entries. Give Back a Smile is now contending for the Summit Award, ASAE’s highest honor for association work.
GBAS applied for an award in the Power to Make a Better World category, as the program’s mission is to assist in restoring the oral health of adults who have suffered dental injuries from domestic and sexual violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women will experience domestic violence, and 75% of battering is to the face. This type of abuse results in a tremendous number of dental injuries. GBAS works to heal some of the most devastating effects of domestic and sexual violence by restoring the mouths of these survivors through compassionate cosmetic dental services and support programs.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Density Charitable Foundation (AACDCF) launched the Give Back a Smile program on May 27, 1999, recognizing that its members have the unique skills to restore damaged mouths due to domestic and sexual violence. Since the program’s 1999 inception, members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry have volunteered their time and expertise pro bono to restore the damaged mouths of more than 1,400 survivors of domestic violence for a total dollar value of more than $14 million. Just last year, 68 member dentists located in 20 different states, completed smile restorations valuing more than $800,000, at no cost to qualifying applicants. The AACDCF also provides educational scholarships for GBAS program recipients enrolled in college – scholarships totaling $20,000 this year.
And the results really are life changing. One GBAS recipient describe its results best: “It’s hard to put into words how much this opportunity has changed my life. Even after completion of my new smile, it took time to realize that I no longer needed to place my hand in front of my mouth when speaking or laughing. I am so thankful. Not only did these people give me back my smile, but they also gave me back my life.”
