Want to help heal the effects of domestic violence? 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 Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program.
GBAS is the only national assistance program that focuses on repairing teeth due to intimate partner violence. GBAS recently expanded its eligibility criteria to include sexual and family violence. Victims of sexual assault and child abuse may now be eligible for the program.
GBAS was launched in 1999. Since then, 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. There are currently more than 250 applicants that are being treated throughout the United States and Canada.
Here’s how to get involved:
• Become a GBAS volunteer dentist
• Donate directly to GBAS
• 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.
“A smile is one’s most important asset, so it’s absolutely devastating when a smile is damaged as a result of domestic violence,” said Christopher Banks, DDS, AACDCF Board of Trustees Chair. “With the support of volunteer dental teams and donations, GBAS has the power to change the lives of domestic violence survivors while giving them their smiles back.”
For more information, please visit www.givebackasmile.com.
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