Henry Schein Cares, the global corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, is once again helping expand access to quality oral health care for underserved and at-risk populations through the Calendar of Caring Community Wellness Program.
The Henry Schein Cares Calendar of Caring Community Wellness Program will donate a total of $200,000 in funds and in-kind services to non-profit organizations that alleviate disparities in oral health care services for the underserved: The Children's Dental Health Project, The Oral Health America Wisdom Tooth Project®, the American Dental Association's Give Kids A Smile Program; and Dental Lifeline Network.
"Oral disease is a silent epidemic among society's youngest and most vulnerable members," said Stanley M. Bergman , Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein , Inc. "Henry Schein Cares is grateful for the participation of our customers and proud to support the vital work of organizations that are combatting the crisis of oral disease in this country. We look forward to introducing this initiative in other markets where we have operations, and congratulate our team in Canada for launching their own Calendar of Caring program earlier this year."
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans over the age of 30 suffer from some form of gum disease, and nearly one in four children under the age of five already have cavities. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the majority of these children come from underserved communities. Numerous studies have found that there is a strong link between oral health and overall health, including links between periodontal disease and diabetes, coronary heart disease, preterm birth, and low birth weights.
The donation made by the Henry Schein Cares Calendar of Caring Community Wellness Program is the result of proceeds from purchases made by Henry Schein's customers and matching grants made by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and promotes dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care globally.
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