Heraeus social initiatives

SOUTH BEND, Indiana--While Heraeus may best be known for time-tested and diverse lines of dental products, the company's charitable efforts continue to make an impact as well.

As a global company, Heraeus wants to use its resources to assist the greater community—and to transform lives in a positive way. Heraeus has made a commitment to help victims of domestic violence through the Give Back a Smile Foundation, a program of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation.

“[The Give Back a Smile] program was developed to address a need in the communities of AACD members,” stated the AACDCF on its Web site, aacd.com.

“Volunteer dentists and laboratory technicians agree to restore … the smile-zone of survivors of intimate partner violence. Survivors know that bruises and scars will fade but broken and missing teeth will not. Our generous dentists help erase the memories of abuse by restoring the smiles at no cost to the survivor, thereby restoring their lives.”

Through this arrangement, Heraeus becomes a proud corporate underwriter of the GBAS organization. This charitable effort follows in step with Heraeus’ role in GBAS’ “Shop to Give” campaign, through which Heraeus makes a donation to GBAS for each Heraeus Venus Diamond Basic Kit purchased from the “Shop to Give” Web site. This money will go toward GBAS’ efforts at restoring the smiles and lives of domestic violence survivors.

Mona, a 2008-2009 GBAS program recipient, survived facial gunshot wounds that damaged her palate and shattered her jaw and several teeth. Her story can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch. She credits GBAS for helping to turn her life around after her domestic violence experience.

“To be able to smile again has given me back my self-confidence and, in many ways, my life,” said Mona. “Give Back a Smile is an amazing organization.”

Heraeus is an underwriter of the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides access to care for thousands of underserved children, and also donates a portion of its sales of Venus Temp C&B to support NCOHF efforts. Additionally, Heraeus has donated products to dental professionals who have given their time to help patients in need.

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Brief documentaries showcasing these efforts--America’s Toothfairy: Fighting Dental Disease in Children” demonstrates the work of NCOHF, and “Gabriela’s Story” shares a child’s journey to full smile restoration through donated dental services and Heraeus materials – can be found on Heraeus’ YouTube site.

“Heraeus is not just a successful company, but a successful company that cares,” said Christopher Holden, president of Heraeus. “We firmly believe in supporting the community and helping to meet the needs of those who cannot afford the healthy smile they deserve. We are grateful for this opportunity to give back, and look forward to a productive relationship with the AACDCF and Give Back a Smile program.”

For more information, go to www.heraeus-dental-us.com and click on “Corporate Social Responsibility” or call (877) 431-1785.

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