NASCAR's Greg Biffle to help celebrate 10th anniversary of Give Kids A Smile

The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Give Kids A Smile program, ADA Foundation, Henry Schein, Inc., and 3M ESPE Dental are teaming up with NASCAR star Greg Biffle again in 2012 to put good oral health on the fast track for young fans of NASCAR.

Across the country, Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will help deliver the message to children about healthy habits like brushing, flossing, visiting the dentist and making smart food choices. Unfortunately for millions of children in this country, these healthy habits aren’t a routine practice.

RELATED INFORMATION: Ringing the NASDAQ opening bell to start GKAS Day 2012

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay affects some 16 million children in the United States, more than any other chronic infectious disease, including asthma, early-childhood obesity and diabetes. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems in eating, speaking, playing and learning. What’s more, according to Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, children living in poverty suffer twice as much tooth decay as their more affluent peers, and their disease is more likely to go untreated. A disproportionate share of tooth decay, approximately 80 percent, is found in 25 percent of children, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Biffle also will take the important oral health message to Richmond International Raceway during the NASCAR weekend April 27-28 for a special Give Kids A Smile dental health screening and education event. A team of sponsors will host a dental health screening event at the Richmond International Raceway Midway on Friday. Volunteer dentists and other dental team members organized through the Virginia Dental Association will provide underserved children free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments and, if needed, dental sealants at this unique event. On Saturday, young fans and their families can participate in fun activities and education about healthy dental habits.
 
In honor of this special oral health program, NASCAR driver Greg Biffle’s No. 16 3M car will sport a special Give Kids A Smile paint scheme during the 58th Annual Richmond 400.

“As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your children’s health and teach them good lifelong habits,” said Biffle. “When you consider how much dental health impacts children’s ability to learn, self-confidence and overall quality of life, you want to do everything you can to help them be healthy. For children in need, it is even more of a challenge, so we’re teaming up again with 3M ESPE Dental, the ADA and Henry Schein to provide education and free screenings and treatments.”

The event also is part of the yearlong 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 yearlong education program includes a national public service announcement featuring Greg Biffle and ongoing outreach to parents and children through dental offices, community events and media. Throughout the year, there will be more than 1,600 Give Kids A Smile events around the country providing dental services to more than 400,000 underserved children.

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

In 2011, 3M ESPE Dental, the American Dental Association and Henry Schein joined forces with Greg Biffle and 3M Racing to take the Give Kids A Smile program to the NASCAR audience. Together, they held an oral health care education event during NASCAR SpeedFest at Charlotte Motor Speedway last March, followed by an education and screening program that screened nearly 175 children and handed out oral health product and instruction kits to approximately 2,000 children during the Bank of America 500 weekend at Charlotte in October.

Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and CEO for Henry Schein, the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners adds, “Our team of participating sponsors is focused on winning the race to increase access to oral health care for children. Leveraging the power of NASCAR and the popularity of Greg Biffle provides special opportunities to inform 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.”

“3M ESPE Dental 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.

Now in its 10th year, “Give Kids A Smile Day” is the ADA’s signature access to care program where dentists and their dental teams provide free oral health care services to children from underserved communities across the country. This year alone, more than 12,000 dentists nationwide will provide free oral health care through the Give Kids A Smile program. Henry Schein’s U.S. dental business, Henry Schein Dental, has served as the exclusive professional product sponsor for “Give Kids A Smile Day” since the program’s inception. Steve Kess, Henry Schein’s Vice President of Global Professional Relations, serves as chair of the ADA Give Kids A Smile National Advisory Committee.

Visit GKAS Nascar - Henry Schein Dental to donate and order a commemorative No. 16 car which 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.