Young Fans to Receive Free Dental Screenings, Treatments and Education in Conjunction with NASCAR Events around the Country
Greg Biffle to Drive Unique No. 16 Give Kids A Smile 3M Ford Fusion in the Michigan NASCAR Sprint Cup Race in June
ST. PAUL, Minn., (February 22, 2013) –The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Give Kids A Smile® program, ADA Foundation, Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC), Care Credit and 3M ESPE Dental are teaming up with NASCAR star Greg Biffle for the third year to put good oral health on the fast track for young fans of NASCAR.
Across the country, Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will help deliver the message to children about healthy habits like brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing, visiting the dentist and making smart food choices. Unfortunately, for millions of children in this country, these healthy habits aren’t a routine practice.
Untreated tooth decay is the single most chronic childhood disease in this country and occurs more than any other chronic infectious disease, including asthma, early childhood obesity and diabetes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated decay affects 25 percent of children living in poverty. It causes pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. What’s more, according to Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, children living in poverty suffer twice as much tooth decay as their more affluent peers, and their disease is more likely to go untreated. A disproportionate share of tooth decay, approximately 80 percent, is found in 25 percent of children, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Accelerating the Race for Good Dental Health
Biffle and 3M ESPE will take the important oral health message to 11 NASCAR tracks throughout the 2013 season with fun family activities and education about healthy dental habits as part of the 3M display in the track midway areas. They expect to reach more than 600,000 people at tracks during the season. Participating tracks include:
· Daytona International Speedway – February 21-24
· AutoClub Speedway – March 23-24
· Kansas Speedway – April 20-21
· Talladega Superspeedway – May 4-5
· Michigan International Speedway – June 15-16
· Bristol Motor Speedway – August 23-24
· Richmond International Raceway – September 6-7
· Chicagoland Speedway – September 14-15
· Dover International Speedway – September 28-29
· Talladega Superspeedway – October 19-20
· Phoenix Raceway – November 9-10
During four NASCAR weekends, Biffle is joining with 3M ESPE, the ADA, Henry Schein, Care Credit and Oral Health America to support two Give Kids A Smile dental health screening programs at selected dental schools and two educational events at selected elementary schools. Volunteer dentists, dental students and other dental team members will provide underserved children free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments and, if needed, dental sealants at these unique screening events.
At the education events, young fans can participate in fun activities centered around healthy dental habits.
In honor of this special oral health program, Greg Biffle’s No. 16 3M car will sport a special Give Kids A Smile paint scheme during the Father’s Day weekend race at Michigan International Speedway.
“As a parent with a toddler, I want to do everything I can to protect my daughter’s health and teach her good lifelong habits,” said Biffle. “When you consider how much dental health impacts children’s ability to learn, self-confidence and overall quality of life, you want to do everything you can to help them be healthy. For children in need, it is even more of a challenge, so I’m proud to be teaming up again with 3M ESPE Dental, the ADA and Henry Schein to provide education , free screenings and treatments.”
In addition, at the Daytona and California races, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., makers of ARM & HAMMER™ Spinbrush™ Battery Powered Toothbrushes, will donate some 12,000 toothbrushes to young fans visiting the 3M Give Kids A Smile tent at the 3M display at the track.
The yearlong Give Kids A Smile education program, now in its 11th year, includes a national public service announcement featuring Greg Biffle and ongoing outreach to parents and children through dental offices, community events and media. Throughout the year, more than 1,700 Give Kids A Smile events will be held around the country, providing dental services to more than 400,000 underserved children.
In 2011, 3M ESPE Dental, the American Dental Association and Henry Schein joined forces with Greg Biffle and 3M Racing to take the Give Kids A Smile program to the NASCAR audience. The program expanded with additional events in 2012, and based on the success of the effort, will reach even more families in 2013.
“Greg Biffle’s support of Give Kids A Smile will help us get the prevention message out to more families,” said ADA president Dr. Robert Faiella. “We applaud his generous efforts, as well as those of the program sponsors.”
In addition to following Biffle’s on the track, race fans of all ages can put themselves in victory lane with him. Just visit www.3MESPE.com/GiveKidsASmile to create a photo with Greg Biffle on pit road or with the race-winning trophy in Victory Lane. For more smart dental tips, visit www.2min2x.org, www.MouthHealthy.org and www.Facebook.com/GiveKidsASmile.
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation’s largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public’s health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA’s state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The public has long relied on the valuable and respected ADA Seal of Acceptance when choosing safe and effective consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA’s flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association’s Web site at www.MouthHealthy.org
About the ADA Foundation
The ADA Foundation strives to improve human health through improved oral health. Since 1991, the ADA Foundation has disbursed nearly $37.5 million dollars to support such charitable activities. In addition to funding grants for dental research, education, scholarships and access to care, the Foundation supports Charitable Assistance Programs such as relief grants to dentists and their dependents who are unable to support themselves due to injury, a medical condition or advanced age; and grants to dentists who are victims of declared disasters. www.adafoundation.org
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. is the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs more than 15,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 775,000 customers. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 25 countries. The Company’s sales reached a record $8.9 billion in 2012, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 17 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.
About Care Credit
For over 25 years CareCredit, a healthcare credit card, has been making it easy for patients to receive desired care. Today, CareCredit is available in over 160,000 enrolled healthcare practices and has been used by over 20 million patients. CareCredit is exclusively selected for their members by many state and national dental associations, including ADA Business ResourcesSM, AGD, AAOMS, and AAP, and is also recommended by leading practice management educators.
About 3M ESPE Dental
3M ESPE manufactures and markets more than 2,000 products and services designed to help dental professionals improve their patients’ oral health care. 3M Health Care, one of 3M’s six major business segments, provides world-class innovative products and services to help health care professionals improve the practice and delivery of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets. The recently created 3M Digital Oral Care Department, part of the 3M ESPE Division, aims to accelerate and strengthen 3M’s efforts to lead the digital transformation that is occurring in oral care. For more information on the complete 3M ESPE line of dental products visit the 3M ESPE Web site at www.3MESPE.com or call the 3M ESPE Technical Hotline at 1-800-634-2249. Products are available for purchase through authorized 3M ESPE distributors.
