MADISON, Wis. — The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile program is launching two new initiatives: Lab Challenge and Give Back a Bigger Smile. With these new programs, Give Back a Smile hopes to increase its ranks of supporters and its reach to more adult survivors of domestic or sexual violence.

The Lab Challenge is an easy and impactful way for dental laboratories to support the Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program. The program was inspired by the existing GBAS Whitening Challenge available to dentists. “Dentists have had an opportunity to give back through the GBAS Whitening Challenge,” says Scott Greenhalgh, DDS, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Now, lab technicians have a chance to give back financially as well.”

To participate in the Lab Challenge, laboratories pledge to donate a portion of proceeds from units fabricated to GBAS. The suggested donation amount is $1-20/unit. Considering it costs approximately $400 to restore one smile through GBAS, a dental laboratory could help restore the damaged smile and life of a survivor of domestic or sexual violence with the proceeds from only 20 units.

GBAS is also expanding its reach to help more survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Give Back a Bigger Smile is an expansion of the Give Back a Smile program and will provide a limited number of full mouth smile restorations for GBAS applicants who qualify.

To download a pledge form to participate in the Lab Challenge, visit www.aacd.com/labchallenge.

To become a GBAS volunteer dentist or laboratory, visit www.aacd.com/GBASvolunteer.