October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and dental professionals looking to help those who have survived devastating effects to their smiles as a result of domestic violence can do so by getting involved with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Charitable Foundation's Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program.
Launched in 1999, GBAS is the only national assistance program that focuses on repairing teeth due to intimate partner violence. The organization recently expanded its eligibility criteria to include sexual and family violence.
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 1,400 survivors of intimate partner violence for a total dollar value of more than $14 million. Currently, more than 250 applicants that are being treated throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here's how to get involved:
- Become a GBAS volunteer dentist.
- Donate directly to GBAS through www.givebackasmile.com/donate.
- Host a local fundraiser that benefits GBAS and a local domestic violence shelter.
- Take the Whitening Challenge, which offers dentists the opportunity to provide whitening treatments to their patients with all proceeds benefiting GBAS.
For more information, please visit www.givebackasmile.com.
