ST. LOUIS, August 14, 2013 – Two companies whose products are used by orthodontists, their staff members and their patients have become corporate supporters of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Donated Orthodontic Services Program. DENTSPLY GAC and Shock Doctor are supporting the program, which provides orthodontic care to indigent children who lack insurance coverage, or who do not qualify for other assistance in their states.
The AAO is a dental specialty organization that has more than 17,000 member orthodontists in the United States, Canada and abroad. The AAO Donated Orthodontic Services (DOS) program, established in 2009, is currently operating in five states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, Rhode Island), with plans for expansion underway. More than 350 AAO members in the five states have joined the DOS program as providers and a total of more than 400 patients are currently in treatment. More than 40 patients have completed treatment.
DENTSPLY GAC donated $25,000 in support of the AAO DOS program. Shock Doctor donated $5,000 plus 10 percent of all mouth guard sales going to DOS. The donations will help cover costs associated with administration of the DOS program, including processing of applications, screening of patients, monitoring patient progress and promoting the program.
The Dental Lifeline Network administers the DOS program on behalf of the AAO. Direct services to patients are donated by the participating orthodontist.
“Access to orthodontic care has long been a concern to the AAO and we are committed to the Donated Orthodontic Services program as an approach to addressing this critical issue,” said Dr. Gayle Glenn, AAO president. “We are very grateful to the companies that have stepped up to help support our efforts.”
“Orthodontists participating in the DOS program are very enthusiastic about the patients they are serving and about the opportunity to provide a much-needed service while being assured that these pro bono patients have genuine financial need,” said Dr. Stephen D. Robirds, chair of the AAO Access to Care Task Force. “With patient screening duties handled effectively by the Dental Lifeline Network, our participating orthodontists can focus on what they do best: Making their patients’ smiles beautiful and their teeth as functional and healthy as possible.”
Entities related to the AAO are also assisting with the DOS program. The AAO Foundation, a 501c3 organization that supports orthodontic education and research, is serving as a fiduciary to accept contributions intended for the AAO Donated Orthodontic Services Program, eliminating the need to establish a 501c3 solely for the DOS program. The Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO), a constituent organization within the AAO, worked with Shock Doctor to establish the company’s contribution.