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Staten Island, New York ( January 4, 2012)- More than five million individuals are affected by domestic violence each year in the U.S. and Canada, and local dentist Dr. DiBona is helping heal the effects by participating in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation's (AACDCF) Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program. Dr. DiBona is one of many volunteer dentists involved with GBAS, which is available to restore the damaged smiles of eligible adult survivors of intimate partner violence.
"One in four women will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime. Chances are, you know someone who's been affected," said Dr.DiBona. "GBAS has restored the smiles of more than 1,000 intimate partner violence survivors to date, and we're looking to help even more. If you know of someone who has suffered injuries to the smile-zone at the hands of a former intimate partner or spouse, please contact GBAS."
GBAS volunteer dentists provide smile-zone restoration treatment at no charge to eligible adult survivors of intimate partner violence. Survivors apply for services through GBAS, and must make an appointment with a counselor, domestic violence advocate, social worker, or therapist to complete the advocate section of the GBAS application.
GBAS conducts the initial review of the application, and the volunteer dentist makes the final determination of eligibility. GBAS will connect initially qualified applicants with a local GBAS volunteer, who then provides treatment at no charge. All applicants must fulfill certain criteria established by GBAS.
Give Back a Smile was developed to address a need in the communities of AACD members. Volunteer dentists and laboratory technicians agree to restore the broken and damaged teeth in the smile-zone of survivors of intimate partner violence. Generous AACD dentists help erase the memories of abuse by restoring the smiles at no cost to the survivors thereby restoring their lives. To date, AACD members have donated more than $10 million in services to restore smiles to help more than 1,000 individuals. If you know of someone that could be helped by GBAS, or someone who would like to get involved in the program, please visit the GBAS website at www.givebackasmile.com or call toll-free 800.502.9006 for more information.
