Align Technology, Inc. (“Align”) (Nasdaq: ALGN) a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign system of clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, today announced an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with Ultradent Products Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments worldwide.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Align will offer Invisalign trained doctors an exclusive professional whitening system with the leading Opalescence PF whitening formula from Ultradent, optimized for use with Invisalign clear aligners and Vivera retainers. The system will carry the co-branded name of ‘Invisalign Professional Whitening System – powered by Opalescence’ and will offer the same great whitening outcomes and streamlined practice experience dental professionals expect from the Opalescence PF product during active tooth movement with Invisalign aligners, as well as during passive retention using Vivera retainers. The Invisalign Professional Whitening System will be commercially available globally in 2022.

“A brighter, whiter smile is an important part of the Invisalign patient journey. In fact, a survey of North American Invisalign practices (1) shows that half of their patients ask for teeth whitening during or after they complete Invisalign treatment,” said Raj Pudipeddi, Align Technology chief product and marketing officer, and SVP and managing director of the Asia Pacific Region. “We believe that by providing an all-in-one solution that combines a leading teeth-whitening system with the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, we enable Invisalign trained doctors to enhance their patients’ treatment experience with a seamless workflow that also enables practice efficiency and growth. We’re very excited to partner with Ultradent to offer the first professional whitening system optimized for use with Invisalign clear aligners and Vivera retainers. Invisalign system trained doctors can use Opalescence PF for in-office teeth whitening treatment and for doctor supervised at-home whitening.”

“We’re honored to partner with Align to make the top professional teeth whitening products available to more clinicians and patients around the world,” said Ultradent President and CEO Dirk Jeffs. “Providing Align with teeth whitening products, ideal for use with Invisalign aligners and Vivera retainers, is a considerable step toward our mission of improving oral health globally and we look forward to pursuing this mission together.”

“Many of my patients would like whiter teeth as well as a straighter smile,” said Dr. Brian Amy, an orthodontist and Align Faculty member practicing in Oklahoma City. “The new Invisalign Professional Whitening System allows me to provide both simultaneously using the brands I trust.”

“After testing this system in my practice, I can confirm that the Invisalign Professional Whitening System is easy to administer and offers a great patient experience by combining whitening with Invisalign aligners or Vivera retainers,” said Dr. Jennifer Bell, a restorative and cosmetic dentist and Align GP Advisory Board Member practicing in Holly Springs, North Carolina. “The simple ordering mechanism minimizes burden on my practice to store and manage whitening products, while providing the brighter, whiter smiles we have come to expect from the Opalescence PF product.”  

Ultradent is an ISO13485 certified facility and will manufacture the products according to those standards.

(1) 2017 online survey of Invisalign doctors, data on file at Align Technology.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs, manufactures and offers the Invisalign system, the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, iTero intraoral scanners and services, and exocad CAD/CAM software. These technology building blocks enable enhanced digital orthodontic and restorative workflows to improve patient outcomes and practice efficiencies for over 200 thousand doctor customers and is key to accessing Align’s 500 million consumer market opportunity worldwide. Align has helped doctors treat approximately 10.9 million patients with the Invisalign system and is driving the evolution in digital dentistry through the Align Digital Platform, our integrated suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.

For additional information about the Invisalign system or to find an Invisalign doctor in your area, visit www.invisalign.com. For additional information about iTero digital scanning system, visit www.itero.com. For additional information about exocad dental CAD/CAM offerings and a list of exocad reseller partners, visit www.exocad.com.

About Ultradent Products, Inc.

Ultradent Products, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments worldwide. Ultradent’s vision is to improve oral health globally. Ultradent also works to improve the quality of life and health of individuals through financial and charitable programs. For more information about Ultradent, call 800.552.5512, visit ultradent.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

To ensure SmileCon attendees have a safe and enjoyable meeting experience, they will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit negative COVID-19 test results.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the American Dental Association updated its health and safety policy for SmileCon on Sept. 10. The meeting will take place Oct. 11-13 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

All face-to-face attendees, including dentists, dental team members, guests, exhibitors, vendors and ADA staff, must be fully vaccinated or submit negative test results to obtain their credentials and access to SmileCon.

In addition to receiving a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours or less before check-in, unvaccinated attendees also must test negative for COVID-19 every 72 hours while on-site at SmileCon. Testing will be provided for a fee, which is the responsibility of the unvaccinated attendee.

The ADA has contracted with CLEAR HEALTH PASS+ for attendees to securely upload proof of vaccination or negative test results within the CLEAR app on their mobile phones.

The ADA is working with venue partners to ensure a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness throughout Mandalay Bay, and there will be more hand sanitization stations throughout the event.

Based on current requirements from the state of Nevada, both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals must wear masks in all indoor public places. Masks will be required during all SmileCon functions regardless of location, and they may only be removed briefly when actively eating or drinking.

The ADA reserves the right to update its policy in accordance with science as well as federal, state, local and Mandalay Bay guidelines.

For the latest health and safety information, visit SmileCon.org. The ADA will provide regular updates on the SmileCon health and safety webpage and by email.

Young Innovations® is now distributing vVARDIS’ Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus with proprietary Curolox® technology. As of today, Young Innovations, a leading global supplier of dental products, is announced as the distributor of Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus, in collaboration with vVARDIS, a cutting-edge Oral Care manufacturer based in Switzerland.

vVARDIS’ Professional Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus is a locally applied professional mouth rinse for an in-depth anti-cavity treatment of initial tooth decay or white spots lesions, which occurs when a layer of the enamel on a tooth becomes demineralized. Once applied onto a cleaned white spot, Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus’ unique formulation helps the fluoride and the calcium found in saliva penetrate the enamel, boosting the re-mineralization process of the enamel over time in a therapy called Guided Enamel Re-mineralization.

Young Innovation’s distribution of Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus reflects our continued commitment to invest in dental treatment therapies that can prevent and address dental caries, the largest and most prevalent non-communicable disease globally.

For more information on Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus:

Website: https://www.youngspecialties.com/curodont/

To order the product directly: https://www.youngspecialties.com/product/curodont-repair-fluoride-plus/

In Partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Haz la U Grant Program is Helping to Shape the Future, One Smile at a Time

Colgate-Palmolive Company is now accepting applications for its annual Haz la U ("Make the U") educational grant program for the 2022-2023 academic year. In partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), the program aims to address the financial needs that Latinx students may face on their journey for higher education. 31 educational grants totaling $100,000 will be awarded to Latinx high school students throughout the U.S. who have demonstrated academic excellence, volunteerism, and leadership within their communities. Applications are now officially open and will close on November 14, 2021.

As part of this year's effort, Colgate has created a film that features the story of Lizbeth Luevano, a 2019 Haz La U grant recipient. Lizbeth grew up in California's Coachella Valley in a mixed status household. Her father was a field worker and her mother helped raise over 10 children in her neighborhood, instilling the values that today define her: dedication, compassion, and an unwavering desire to help others. As a result, Lizbeth is attending Stanford University, where she plans to major in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity as well as Earth Systems.

"It was difficult seeing that disparity between my other middle-class peers, having to realize that there were things that were accessible to them that weren't accessible to me," said Lizbeth Luevano. "As a recipient of the Haz La U grant it has given me the opportunity to attend Stanford University and ultimately pursue a career in immigration law. My hope for the future is living in a space where I can see my neighbors thrive, where I can see my neighbors have the same accessibility to an education..."

"Colgate-Palmolive is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people. We are proud to continue our commitment to the Latinx community and award grants to these extraordinary students through Haz la U." said Dana Medema, Vice President and General Manager of North America Oral Care at Colgate-Palmolive. "We are inspired by Lizbeth's story to aid her community because at Colgate, we believe everyone deserves a future to smile about. We hope that by sharing her story, more students will rise above and aspire to be leaders of tomorrow."

For over 10 years, Colgate has partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to award Haz La U scholarships through their annual Youth Awards. "We're extremely proud to continue our partnership with Colgate for the Haz la U grant by providing educational assistance to Latinx students, which will get them a step closer to achieving their higher education goals," said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO, Hispanic Heritage Foundation. "This important effort with Colgate through our Youth Awards program will showcase the tremendous talent and potential of our youth. These scholarships will help young leaders continue on their track to making an impact on our community and America."

On the regional level, The Haz La U grant program will award 10 Gold level grants of $4,000 each, 10 Silver level grants of $3,000 each, and 10 Bronze level grants of $2,000 each. One regional winner will receive a National level grant of $10,000. To watch Lizbeth's story, apply and learn more about Haz la U ("Make the U") visit Colgate.com/MakeTheU. 

Founded by Swiss Dentists Haleh and Golnar Abivardi and Backed by Proprietary Science, vVARDIS is Transforming Oral Care and Dentistry with Their Radical New Non-Invasive Solution that Helps Eliminate Tooth Decay and Protects Teeth

The Soul of vVARDIS is to Ensure All People have Access to the Highest Quality, Pain-Free Oral Health Care

Today vVARDIS, the revolutionary oral health company leading a transformation in oral care and dentistry, announced a national partnership with CareQuest Innovation Partners intended to bring vVARDIS' patented drill-free technologies that help eliminate tooth decay to the growing but underserved Medicaid population.

As part of this new partnership, vVARDIS is piloting a study of its professional quality treatment in certain dental practices affiliated with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health (CareQuest Institute) and, upon completion, would look to expand access to the treatment for underserved and Medicaid populations. Additionally, vVARDIS and CareQuest Innovation Partner's nonprofit parent, CareQuest Institute, will work to establish and fund various philanthropic activities, including education programs for both patients and dental professionals to improve oral health and dentistry for historically marginalized populations. CareQuest Innovation Partners is a for-profit affiliate of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health focused on innovation advancement and impact investing.

"The soul of vVARDIS is service and ensuring the world has access to the highest quality oral care. Good oral health is critical to overall health and wellbeing and far too many low-income families and children lack access to quality oral care, much less the cutting-edge technology to keep their mouths and bodies healthy. We are proud to partner with CareQuest Innovation Partners to help improve oral health care and outcomes for the Medicaid population, which currently includes more than 37 million children," said Haleh and Golnar Abivardi, Founders of vVARDIS.

From their early days turning dentistry on its head, Haleh and Golnar Abivardi have always brought together their serial entrepreneurial spirit with a commitment to serving those most in need. They believe that everyone has a right to good oral health and have devoted tremendous resources to providing the highest quality oral care treatments to low-income families and the homeless in Switzerland. This new partnership brings their mission and commitment to service to the United States for the first time.

vVARDIS and CareQuest Innovation Partners will partner with the aim to develop and deploy new, low-cost treatments for state Medicaid programs, using the same core technology used in vVARDIS Professional Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus treatment.

Backed by proprietary science, vVARDIS' revolutionary technologies, as demonstrated by data arising from over 200 European clinical studies, is the next generation of oral care which we look forward to bringing to patients in the U.S.

vVARDIS' Professional Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus is a locally applied professional mouth rinse for an in-depth anti-cavity treatment of initial tooth decay or white spots lesions, which occurs when a layer of the enamel on a tooth becomes demineralized. Once applied onto a cleaned white spot, Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus' unique formulation helps the Fluoride and the calcium found in saliva penetrate the enamel, boosting the remineralization process of the enamel over time in a therapy called Guided Enamel Remineralization.

vVARDIS and CareQuest Institute will also partner on philanthropic activities for the purpose of improving oral care for historically marginalized populations in the United States, including through the provision of novel preventive oral care products and services. Together, vVARDIS and CareQuest Institute will work to enlist the support of philanthropic partner organizations to help raise awareness of the vital importance of oral health to the public.

"Partnerships like ours accelerate innovation in oral health care and bring us one step closer to a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system for everyone," said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of CareQuest Institute. "Our goal is to bring transformational new oral health treatments that helps heal tooth decay to those who have experienced barriers to care for too long. By arming dental teams with new tools, we'll be able to fundamentally improve the patient experience and health of communities." 

Dental prostheses (known as bridges) can be immediately placed on replacement teeth with highly predictable outcomes during jaw reconstruction that involves taking bone from the patient's leg, a new study finds.

This technique can be used on certain patients who need skin paddles—which includes skin taken with the leg bone to fix soft-tissue defects – according to the study published in the September issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery—the official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

Changes to traditional jaw reconstruction using the fibula—the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg that is removed with an artery, vein and soft tissue, known as a fibula free flap—can help limit problems with soft tissue and prosthetics, the study notes. The researchers explained their use of simultaneous skin paddles and a floating prosthesis for accurately attaching the prosthesis to replacement teeth (known as dental implants) while the fibula receives blood supply on the leg.

The study involved 22 patients who underwent reconstruction of their upper or lower jaw using the fibula, received immediate dental implants and immediate bridgework and were tracked for at least three months.

Of the 95 dental implants placed, 92 fused with the jawbone, known as integration, indicating dental implant success. All 36 dental implants that were next to skin paddles in 10 patients integrated. Overall, the dental implant success rate was 93 percent within nine to 15 months after surgery.

In the past, immediate dental restoration during reconstruction using the fibula was recommended just for benign disease because issues with malignant disease can include uncertain radiation effects, the need for skin paddles and extra time required to create dental prostheses, the researchers note. This study found radiation after surgery is not associated with lower rates of dental implant integration.

The researchers explained that they avoid delay in surgery by using virtual surgical planning to establish dental implant positions and fibula placement before designing and 3D printing teeth the following day. Surgery was not delayed for any patients while they waited for bridgework or for starting radiation due to dental implant or prosthesis issues.

"For successful prosthetic outcomes, planning should be restoratively driven," the researchers wrote. "This requires placement of bone in proper orientation with the opposing dental arch for optimal implant positioning. Soft-tissue health is vital for long-term success to mitigate against peri-implantitis (inflamed tissue around an implant). The depth of implant placement should account for expected marginal bone loss to avoid exposed threads and peri-implantitis."

The authors of "Immediate Teeth in Fibulas: Expanded Clinical Applications and Surgical Technique" are Fayette C. Williams, DDS, MD, from John Peter Smith Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas; Daniel A. Hammer, DDS, from Naval Medical Center San Diego; and Todd R. Wentland, DDS, MD; and Roderick Y. Kim, DDS, MD, from John Peter Smith Health Network.

The full article can be accessed at JOMS.org/article/S0278-2391(21)00326-8/fulltext.

The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is published by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to present to the dental and medical communities comprehensive coverage of new techniques, important developments and innovative ideas in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Practice-applicable articles help develop the methods used to handle dentoalveolar surgery, facial injuries and deformities, TMJ disorders, oral and head and neck cancer, jaw reconstruction, anesthesia and analgesia. The journal also includes specifics on new instruments and diagnostic equipment, and modern therapeutic drugs and devices.

Financing from top direct lending company fortifies GDP's strong growth outlook

Guardian Dentistry Partners ("GDP" or "Guardian") today announced that it has secured more than $100 million in debt financing from Twin Brook Capital Partners, a leading direct lending finance company.

Guardian, which has seen its dental partnerships across the country grow exponentially since its founding in 2018, is now well-positioned to continue to forge powerful strategic partnerships in the months and years to come.

"This financing is reflective of confidence in our business plan and in our incredible dental entrepreneur founders and partners," said Mark Censoprano, GDP's President. "With Twin Brook's support, we are now primed to grow even more quickly, and we're confident we will achieve our objectives."

In fact, in the coming months Guardian is expected to announce new partnerships with nearly 30 dental practices across the Eastern United States, including partnerships in two new states.

"2021 is proving to be a hallmark expansion year for Guardian," said Dr. Hisham Barakat, Chief Clinical Officer at GDP. "We're proud, and humbled, to have the opportunity to support so many amazing partners in their journeys to build the practices of their dreams."

Danny Kawas, Partner at NKP Capital, GDP's family-office sponsor, said, "It is with great pride that we support our founding doctors who were looking to build their own group or be part of a group, but were not optimally served by the typical corporate structures. With GDP, doctors benefit from our infrastructure, talent, and access to capital, but have the advantage of a warm, purpose-driven, family-like experience of an intimate partnership. Now, with this financing, we are able to provide our alternative partnership solution to even more dental entrepreneurs."

"We have been thoroughly impressed with the Guardian team and with the company's track record over the past several years under Danny Kawas and NKP's leadership," said Pete Coffin, Vice President at Twin Brook Capital Partners. "We are pleased to provide financing to support Guardian's growth strategy and look forward to working with the team as the platform continues to scale and expand into new markets through partnerships with high-quality doctors, capitalizing on the favorable tailwinds that remain prevalent in the dental market."

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. served as financial advisor to NKP Capital and GDP on the financing.

About Guardian Dentistry Partners

Founded by a group of passionate dentists and a family office, Guardian Dentistry Partners is an emerging Dental Partnership Network dedicated to providing world-class support services and growth opportunities for its network of dentist partners. Founded in 2018, Guardian has expanded rapidly and now supports dental entrepreneurs in Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Guardian's mission is to help its dental partners and teams build the practices of their dreams. For more information, visit guardiandentistry.com.

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the world’s largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, today announced that it has appointed Graham Stanley as Vice President of Investor Relations and Strategic Financial Project Officer. In this role, Graham will be responsible for driving Henry Schein’s strategic communications with institutional investors and the securities analyst community as well as providing executive oversight from a financial perspective for several strategic initiatives.

“Graham brings to this new role deep experience in finance management and leadership,” said Steven Paladino, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Most recently, Graham served as Chief Financial Officer of Henry Schein’s Global Dental Group, where he provided strong financial leadership for Henry Schein’s largest business. We are pleased to have Graham’s talent and capabilities dedicated to this vital role as we execute on our global strategy to deliver value to investors, Team Schein Members, and other key stakeholders.”

Mr. Stanley is an experienced financial executive with a demonstrated history of advancing change management and profit improvement projects. A graduate of the University of Oxford, with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics, he joined Henry Schein in 2004 and has held a series of increasingly responsible positions. Mr. Stanley’s roles at Henry Schein have included responsibility for financial performance, financial planning, accounting, treasury, acquisition analysis and integration, and other financial operations. Prior to joining Henry Schein, he served as Treasurer of the Instinet Group, Inc., where he established the company’s treasury function.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With approximately 21,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, the Company's network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that help improve operational success and clinical outcomes. Our Business, Clinical, Technology and Supply Chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government, and institutional health care clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.

Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items.

A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the S&P 500® index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 32 countries and territories. The Company's sales reached $10.1 billion in 2020, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 12 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.

For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, and @HenrySchein on Twitter. 

Key Sessions to be Available Online for Industry and Investor Participants

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (“Dentsply Sirona”) (Nasdaq: XRAY), today announced that its premier annual clinical education event for dental professionals is set to provide the most extensive offering of training programs and new product launches in conference history. The event will take place from September 23 - 25, 2021, and will feature more than 100 industry-leading speakers.

Dentsply Sirona’s clinical education programs are an essential part of the Company’s commitment to empowering dental professionals, reaching more than one million people last year. Dentsply Sirona World (“DS World”) 2021 is a hybrid event, and participants can join their peers on site at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV, or virtually via livestream and on-demand functionality with special digital programming.

Key speakers participating in this year’s event include Drs. Shivi Gupta and Dan Butterman, who will present on Digital Restorative Workflow and Digital Implant Workflow, respectively.

Investor Participation

A live webcast and video replay will be available to investors for key DS World 2021 sessions, including the daily General Sessions and an Investment Community Session scheduled on September 23. Registration is required, interested members of the professional investment community should contact the Dentsply Sirona Investor Relations team via email at InvestorRelations@DentsplySirona.com for more information.

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with a 134-year history of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands. As The Dental Solutions Company, Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better, safer and faster dentistry. The Company’s shares of common stock are listed in the United States on Nasdaq under the symbol XRAY. Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.  

The pandemic cannot sideline TeamSmile, a nonprofit dedicated to providing children with a life-changing dental experience through the power of sports. Since 2007, TeamSmile has served more than 40,000 kids across the U.S. through its traditional programs, where volunteer dentists gather inside giant arenas and stadiums alongside athletes, cheerleaders and mascots to provide free oral health education, dental screenings and dental treatment to underserved children. While COVID-19 has benched these particular programs, the nonprofit found a way to adjust its programming and carry through the organization’s mission.

This past year TeamSmile hosted eight Phase II and II+ programs as well as eight Virtual Oral Health Education Presentations, collectively serving more than 3,000 children across the U.S. and the organization has a full lineup for the last quarter of 2021, heading to Phoenix and Tucson in September and hosting programs with the Minnesota Vikings, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Rays in October.

“We knew hosting full programs this year was not an option due to COVID-19,” says Kellie Reneau-Jardon, TeamSmile program director, who has worked with the organization for more than 12 years. “But we also knew that we couldn’t sit back and do nothing. We needed to get creative and figure out how we could still help the kiddos who need us. Many schools we work with have responded with huge appreciation for our new Phase II program, thanking us for being creative in helping their students.”

TeamSmile Pandemic Programming

TeamSmile’s Phase II and II+ programs resemble the organization’s winning business model; however, some necessary changes have been made. Now events are held in smaller settings, sometimes directly at schools or with area Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to provide much-needed hands-on treatment with additional safety measures implemented into place. At the Phase II programs, kiddos receive a dental exam, fluoride varnish and/or silver diamine fluoride, oral health education, free dental products and help finding a dental home. At the Phase II+ programs, TeamSmile delivers the above plus brings about 40% of their traditional program equipment and volunteers to conduct scaled-down programs that mimic their traditional ones.

In addition to the Phase II and Phase II+ programs, this year TeamSmile launched Virtual Oral Health Education Presentations in conjunction with the University at Buffalo School of Dental medicine and Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, where students from across the country actively participate in fun and entertaining activities on the importance of oral health.

“Our dental students and pediatric dental residents have treasured the opportunity to provide meaningful interactive presentations to the children,” says Dr. Meelin Dian Chin Kit-Wells, clinical assistant professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “Most importantly, the children were engaged! We are hopeful that, as a team, we made a difference in their lives by teaching them about their smiles.”

To date, Team Virtual Oral Health Education Presentations have educated kids in five cities and provided hands-on oral health kits to children across the U.S. These oral health kits contain basic necessities that some children have gone without, including a Colgate toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, Purell hand sanitizer and a dental coloring book from their partners at DentaQuest.

“This pandemic has created deep challenges to maintaining access to oral health care for our kids,” says Steven Brady, regional vice president, DentaQuest. “As always, TeamSmile has gone above and beyond in ensuring children and families continue to receive dental care – care that is essential to their overall health. We’re proud to partner with TeamSmile and provide kids across the country with oral health kits.”

The work of TeamSmile would not be possible without help from its many national partners, including DentaQuest, Henry Schein, Colgate, Midmark, Acteon, Henry Schein One, Dentsply Sirona, GOJO, Young Innovations, and the CAPTRUST Community Foundation.

For more information about TeamSmile, or to view upcoming events, visit https://teamsmile.org/.