In addition, Heraeus announced an initiative whereby the company will make a donation to breast cancer research for each visitor who “likes” the Heraeus Dental 360 Facebook page during the month of October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
- RELATED: Read about an RDH who was diagnosed with breast cancer
- RELATED: Tips for how you can participate in raising awareness for breast cancer
- RELATED: Toothbrush from Bling Dental supports breast cancer research
Due in large part to the increase in mammography rates resulting from the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization, the death rate from breast cancer has declined since the organization’s founding in 1985. Further progress is needed, however; the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that in 2012 over 225,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which Venus White is supporting as part of its efforts to help victims of domestic violence. Earlier this year, Venus White was named the Official Whitening Fundraising Partner of the Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program, which was founded by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation (AACDCF) to restore the damaged smiles of adult survivors of intimate partner violence. Through this partnership, Heraeus donates Venus White teeth whitening systems to participating dental practices that pledge to donate proceeds directly to GBAS when they perform whitening treatments for their patients.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an estimated 1.5 million people experience intimate partner violence each year. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation's GBAS program heals some of the most devastating effects of this violence, by restoring the smiles of adult women and men who have suffered damage to, or lost, their smiles at the hands of a former intimate partner or spouse.
Last year GBAS volunteers in 131 dental practices donated $1,466,187 in dental services to help restore the smiles of 139 survivors of intimate partner violence in the United States and Canada.
“Heraeus is very proud to be able to support the vital causes of breast cancer research and domestic violence awareness,” said Amy Holmes, Heraeus Product Manager for Whitening Systems. “Importantly, however, none of this would be possible without the support of our loyal dental practice customers and their patients.”
Individuals and organizations wishing to make a donation to GBAS can do so online, or mail a check to Give Back a Smile, 402 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703. Those wishing to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation may do so by visiting http://myvenussmile.com/venus-white/.
The Venus White line includes three levels of patient-friendly teeth whitening systems sold through dental practices:
- Venus WhiteMax: an in-office whitening system for brilliant results in about an hour.
- Venus White Pro: a high-performance take-home whitening system for use with custom trays.
- Venus White Ultra: an entry-level take-home whitening system composed of disposable pre-filled whitening trays.
Heraeus recently announced that these innovative whitening products will soon be joined by five new maintenance and oral care products that can help maintain the results of Venus White’s professional whitening and enhance oral health. A portion of the proceeds from these products will also be donated to support breast cancer research.
For more information on Heraeus or its products, call (800) 431-1785 or visit www.heraeusdentalusa.com.