Supporting dental care in Alaska

02 August 2016
Volume 31 · Issue 6

Henry Schein Dental UK donated healthcare products in support of the Alaska Dental Society’s Alaska Mission of Mercy (AKMOM), an event that focuses on providing free access to dental care for people in need.

The event took place in Anchorage on April 29 and 30, 2016. The donation was made as part of Henry Schein’s cooperation with the International College of Dentists (ICD) Global Visionary Fund (GVF).

During the mission, 189 volunteer dentists joined with other volunteers to provide urgently needed dental care to more than 1,100 people, with the highest priority given to patients suffering from dental infections or pain. During the two day event, dentists performed more than 6,300 procedures, with an estimated value of total care provided at over $1.15m.

More information about the mission can be found in a video published by the Alaska Dental Society.

During the event, an important aim was also to raise public awareness of the increasing difficulty low income adults and children face in accessing critical dental care. In addition, AKMOM encourages low income patients, policymakers and dental professionals to work together to reduce the disease burden and improve the oral health of Alaskan residents.

Simon Gambold, vice president of the European dental northern region and marketing European dental group at Henry Schein, said: “By donating health care products to the latest AKMOM mission through ICD’s Global Visionary Found, we were able to increase access to oral care and to support dental professionals in the provision of desperately needed treatment and preventive care.

“This is an important part of our global corporate social responsibility programme, Henry Schein Cares.”

Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the company believes that it is furthering its long term success. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.