MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, announced its commitment to donate $250,000in health care products over the next two years to the America's Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF). The donation will support the ADCF's work at 50 dental Mission of Mercy (MOM) clinics, which provide free dental care to the underserved across the U.S.
As part of a two-year agreement with the ADCF, Henry Schein will donate health care product kits valued at $5,000 each, including exam gloves, surgical face masks, gowns and medical gauze, to up to 50 MOM events taking place in 2016 and 2017. The donation is an initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program. The MOM events are staffed by volunteer dentists and dental hygienists who provide dental exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions, and instructions on proper oral hygiene to people in need. Dental assistants and lay volunteers also contribute to the efforts in various capacities. According to the ADCF, a typical two-day MOM event serves an average of 1,600 patients.
"Given the integral connection between good oral health and overall health, access to proper dental care is an essential component of community wellness," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. "Despite its importance, access to oral care is limited or nonexistent for many underserved populations. We applaud Mission of Mercy for providing immediate treatment to people in need, and for raising community awareness of the critical importance of oral care. All of us at Henry Schein are pleased to stand with the ADCF to help health happen."
Kansas and Nebraska dentists began hosting MOM clinics in 2003 and 2005, respectively. After lending their own equipment to support the growing number of MOM clinics, they formed the ADCF in 2008 to own, maintain, and provide the equipment necessary to host events. Today, the ADCF owns three semi-trailers, each with the equipment, tools, and instruments needed for a dental clinic.
"MOM volunteers provide more than just quality oral health care, they restore a person's confidence in their smile," said Bill Blasing, Executive Director, ADCF. "Henry Schein's donation will make an important contribution to our efforts to expand access to care to as many people as possible, and we are grateful to the Company for its generosity and deep commitment to helping the underserved."
