In conjunction with President Bush's proclamation of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry(R) (AACD) has launched an official Web site for its charitable foundation program, Give Back A Smile(TM) (GBAS). GBAS provides complimentary cosmetic dental care to survivors of domestic abuse in order to restore the smiles and help rebuild the lives of those in need. The official GBAS Web site is located at http://www.givebackasmile.com.
The Give Back a Smile program provides free consultation and treatment to those in financial need to restore the smiles and lives of survivors who sustained dental injuries due to domestic violence. When a smile is lost due to unfortunate circumstances, it has not only a devastating physical effect, but it damages a person's self-esteem and social confidence as well. Give Back a Smile will reinstate a patient's passion to live, belief in their self, and faith in the goodwill of others.
The GBAS Web site contains complete information on how doctors can participate in the program and how survivors can find the care they need, as well as a press section filled with statistics and figures on domestic violence in America, past GBAS press releases, and a biography of Carolyn Sapp, Miss America 1992 and GBAS National Spokesperson.
"The Give Back A Smile program is an opportunity for AACD members to contribute to others in need with our ability to create smiles in order to help someone rebuild their life," commented AACD President Dr. Arthur Chal of Phoenix, Ariz. "The new GBAS Web site will allow those in need to locate the care they desire with the program more easily, provide doctors a direct means for becoming a part of the program, and educate the world about the problems of domestic abuse and how the AACD is helping the situation."
In July 2001, the AACD was one of eight organizations in the world to receive the Award of Excellence and the prestigious Associations Advance America Summit Award for the 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.
For information regarding how doctors can participate in Give Back a Smile, visit http://www.givebackasmile.com . Those interested in finding help with the Give Back a Smile program can also visit the Web site, call the National Hotline at 800-773-GBAS, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Donations for Give Back a Smile can be made to the AACD Charitable Foundation, care of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 2810 Walton Commons West, Suite 200, Madison, Wisconsin 53718-3900.
