Partnerships Include Northeastern Society of Orthodontists and Corporate Sponsors
Posted: April 16, 2013
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (February 13, 2013) – The American Association of
Orthodontists (AAO), a professional organization that has more than
17,000 member orthodontists in the U.S., Canada and abroad, is
sponsoring a program called Donated Orthodontic Services. Its purpose
is to provide orthodontic care to indigent children without insurance
coverage, or who do not qualify for other assistance in their state of
residence.
Currently in five states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, Rhode
Island), efforts are underway to expand the DOS program. The
Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO), a constituent organization
within the AAO, has developed a business model to aid DOS growth
nationally. NESO has partnered with two manufacturers whose products
are used by orthodontists, their staff members, and their patients.
Performance Healthcare Products, a manufacturer of advanced scrubs
(apparel worn by many healthcare professionals) and sleepwear, and Shock
Doctor, a manufacturer of mouth guards, have partnered with NESO as the
first corporate sponsors of the DOS program. Performance Healthcare
Products will donate 10 percent of sales of Performance Scrubs and 25
percent of sales of Performance Sleepwear made to NESO members or anyone
designating that they want a donation to be made to the DOS
program. Shock Doctor made a direct donation of $5,000. It will, in
addition, donate 10 percent of all sales to orthodontists to DOS. Funds
are expected to help expand the DOS program to additional states.
“Many people are facing difficulties in providing health and dental
services to their children, and that includes orthodontic treatment,”
said Dr. Jack S. Kacewicz, an orthodontist in East Greenwich, Rhode
Island, a volunteer for Rhode Island’s DOS program and Chair of the NESO
DOS Program. “The goal of the DOS program is to serve children in need,
especially those who simply do not qualify for other programs, and
provide them with orthodontic care that they might otherwise not
receive. Many times, these children’s parents have jobs, but their
resources are consumed by basics like housing and food. They make too
much money to qualify for state-sponsored programs, but not enough to
work orthodontic care into the family budget.”
Since the inception of the DOS program in 2009, 30 children have
completed treatment, and 397 more are currently receiving
treatment. The average length of comprehensive orthodontic treatment is
22 months, but ranges up to 36 months for patients with severe
orthodontic problems. To date, 380 orthodontic specialists have
volunteered their services in the five states served by the DOS program.
Prospective DOS patients are required to submit an application for the
program and are evaluated by the Dental Lifeline Network to determine
eligibility.
Crooked teeth and misaligned jaws can lead to tooth decay and a host of
sometimes painful dental disorders. Orthodontic treatment can lead to
better dental health and function. A nice benefit of orthodontic
treatment is the improvement in appearance. Many patients report
increased self-esteem, and that can help enhance life experiences
personally and professionally.
“If the NESO business model is successful, we look forward to its
adoption by the AAO so that we can deliver orthodontic care to those who
need it through an expanded DOS program,” Dr. Kacewicz stated.
Orthodontists who volunteer for the DOS program are not compensated for
their time or reimbursed for the cost of braces, diagnostic tests or
laboratory fees. Families of patients who qualify for the program are
asked to pay a nominal fee to cover administrative costs incurred by the
Dental Lifeline Network, which coordinates the DOS program on behalf of
the AAO.
Residents of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey and Rhode Island who
are interested in learning about eligibility for the DOS program, or who
wish to submit an application, may contact the DOS coordinator at the
Dental Lifeline Network at 866-572-9390.
For-profit entities interested in learning how they may become a DOS
corporate sponsor may contact the AAO’s executive director, Chris
Vranas, at 314-993-1700.
The DOS program accepts AAO members as volunteers. All AAO members are
orthodontists. Orthodontists first graduate from dental school and then
spend an additional 2-3 years studying orthodontics in an accredited
orthodontic residency program. Members of the AAO have met these
educational requirements as a condition of membership.
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