The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation (AACDCF) is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program, which rebuilds the smiles and lives of adults who’ve suffered dental injuries from domestic and sexual violence.
Since its launch in May of 1999, AACD member dentists, dental laboratories, and other dental professionals have volunteered their time and expertise pro bono to restore the damaged smiles of more than 1,700 survivors of intimate partner violence for a total dollar value of more than $16 million.
The GBAS program started their mission because of survivors like Dawn, who after a domestic abuse incident, woke up in the hospital with a fractured skull, broken ribs, a scarred face, and destroyed teeth. She had lost her job, her house, and her self-respect, and spent years trying to rebuild her confidence. She was ashamed of the way she looked until a domestic abuse advocate told her about the Give Back a Smile program. Dawn is now getting her degree in counseling and working towards her dream of advocating for other women trapped in abusive relationships.
"GBAS gave me back the dignity my abuser had robbed me of. I no longer look in the mirror and see a tarnished woman. I see a beautiful smile and light in that woman’s eyes. I have become the selfie queen!” – Dawn, domestic abuse survivor
To ensure the Give Back a Smile program can provide services to survivors like Dawn for another twenty years, consider one of these many ways to support the program:
• Donate online to GBAS
• Become a volunteer
• Join the Whitening Challenge
• GBAS Silent Auction - Bidding for the 2019 auction will open April 1!
• Learn how to help someone experiencing domestic violence
The AACD Charitable Foundation is also hosting a celebration in the Ultimate Skybox in San Diego, California, during the 35th Annual American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Scientific Session on Thursday, April 25, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This event is open to the public and sponsored by Ceatus Media Group. The celebration will include food, live music, and other GBAS supporters who really know how to have a good time for a great cause. Attendees of this event will have the pleasure of taking in the breathtaking 360-degree landscape of the San Diego coastline as well as an exciting aerial view of the San Diego baseball stadium, Petco Park. Tickets are $125 USD/person and are limited to the first 200 people. Event proceeds benefit survivors of domestic and sexual violence through the Give Back a Smile program. For more information about this event, or to register for the 35th Annual AACD Scientific Session, visit www.aacdconference.com.
To learn more about the GBAS program, visit www.aacd.com/aboutGBAS.
One in four women will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime. If you or someone you know could be helped by GBAS or would like to get involved in the program, please visit the GBAS website at www.givebackasmile.com or call toll-free 800.773.4227 for more information.
