NASCAR free treatment

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--The American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile program, Henry Schein Cares, and 3M ESPE are teaming up to put good oral health on the fast track for young fans of NASCAR.

The team of three industry and professional sponsors will host a dental health screening event Oct. 15, 2011, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s “Kid Zone” during the NASCAR Charlotte Race Weekend. Volunteer dentists and other dental team members will give underserved children free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants at this event. Children will receive digital X-rays embedded in a wristband as their badge of honor for participating.

The event also serves as an advance celebration of the Give Kids A Smile program’s 10th anniversary in 2012. Fans can follow Give Kids A Smile on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GiveKidsASmile.

The NASCAR Charlotte Race Weekend oral health care and treatment event follows a March 12, 2011, oral health care education event held during NASCAR SpeedFest, an annual appreciation day for NASCAR fans held at Charlotte Motor Speedway that approximately 7,000 children enjoyed.

At a tent hosted by the American Dental Association, Henry Schein Cares, and 3M ESPE, oral health education was provided to participating children. Children received a “SpeedFest kit,” which included a card with oral health tips, a toothbrush, Colgate toothpaste, and Henry Schein dental floss.

“The special oral health screening event at NASCAR’s Charlotte Race Weekend underscores the deep commitment of the ADA, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein to raising awareness of the importance of oral health education and screening for children,” said William R. Calnon, DDS, president-elect of the ADA.

“Given that tooth decay is a leading childhood disease, and one that is easily preventable, we firmly believe that it is never too early to begin oral health education and screening.”

Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and CEO for Henry Schein, a provider of health-care products and services to office-based practitioners added, “Our team of participating sponsors is focused on winning the race to increase access to oral health care for children. Great events like NASCAR’s Charlotte Race Weekend provide special opportunities to tell a new audience about the importance of oral health. The success of these events illustrates the power of the public-private partnership--the key to the success of Henry Schein Cares, our global social responsibility program. Together, we can make a powerful impact in improving access to care for underserved communities.”

Going digital with patient education

In honor of this special oral health program, NASCAR driver Greg Biffle’s No. 16 3M car and uniform will sport the Give Kids A Smile, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein Cares logos during the Charlotte Bank of America 500 Race.

“3M ESPE is proud to partner with these esteemed peers to provide dental care to children who may not otherwise receive this treatment,” said John Stefanick, director, Industry & Professional Relations of 3M ESPE, the manufacturer and marketer of more than 2,000 dental products.

Give Kids A Smile is an ADA initiative where dentists and their dental teams provide free oral health care services to children from underserved communities across the country. Now in its ninth year, more than 12,000 dentists nationwide provided free oral health care to almost 400,000 underserved children.

Visit GKAS Nascar-Henry Schein Dental to donate and order a commemorative No. 16 car that has custom replica graphics and a commemorative plaque stand. Proceeds benefit the Give Kids A Smile nationwide program expansion activities to help children in need of dental care.

For more information, go to www.ada.org.

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