ADA News

Orlando, Fla.—Dental philanthropists whose efforts help create smiles worldwide will be honored at the ADA annual session Oct. 9-11 at the Volunteer Celebration Area in the ADA World Marketplace Exhibition.

New program champs part of celebration Two new Give Kids A Smile Program Champions will be on hand at the Volunteer Celebration Area. Smiles Change Lives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids from low-income families receive braces, has orthodontists in 50 states working with the organization to provide braces for qualified children and teens. SCL uses GKAS events and programs to maximize scarce resources and help qualified, motivated children gain access to orthodontic treatment. The National Association of School Nurses is also a great fit with GKAS, since school nurses work with programs to advocate for healthy breakfast and lunch meals; make appropriate referrals to dental homes; assist in coordinating care for children; assist with preventive school oral health education and programs; and share information with families. For more information, visit www.givekidsasmile.ada.org.

This special exhibit area is designed to laud dentistry's heroes: Give Kids A Smile program participants; donors who contribute to the ADA/HVO Adopt-a-Practice: Rebuilding Dental Offices in Haiti campaign; corporate donors and sponsors of charitable dental programs; and volunteers who participate in countless other programs and causes in their own communities or in remote areas abroad.

The Volunteer Celebration Area is also a hub for dental professionals who want to learn how they can make a difference.

The exhibit is sponsored in part by SS White.

"It's important that we recognize the work of many thousands of dentists and staff who volunteer their time and talents to help with access to care efforts," said Tom Gallop, SS White CEO and committee member of the GKAS National Advisory Board via the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation. "Although volunteering is not the only solution, it is part of the solution, and we want to acknowledge volunteers' efforts. The annual session offers a great opportunity for dental professional volunteers, charities and company representatives to both showcase and partner to make a big difference in the lives of those in need."

Some programs that will be featured at the Volunteer Celebration Area include:

• ADA Give Kids A Smile Program;
• America's Dentists Care Foundation (Missions of Mercy);
• Health Volunteers Overseas;
• ADA American Indian/Alaska Native Dental Placement Program;
• TeamSmile;
• National Museum of Dentistry;
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Head Start Dental Home Initiative;
• Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures Program;
• ADA National Children's Dental Health Month;
• Smiles Change Lives;
• National Association of School Nurses.

Visit the ADA World Marketplace exhibition and the Volunteer Celebration Area, Booth 1456 (located at the back of the 2200 aisle) from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 9-11.

For more information on GKAS, log on to http://givekidsasmile.ada.org.