Smile for a Lifetime Foundation

JONESBORO, Arkansas--Smile for a Lifetime Foundation has announced the signing of an exclusive arrangement with Ormco to help deliver pro bono orthodontic treatment services to underprivileged children throughout the country.

Ormco, a leading manufacturer of orthodontic appliances and supplies, will provide products free of charge to orthodontists affiliated with Smile for a Lifetime to treat underserved children. Smile for a Lifetime is a nonprofit organization that works nationally with orthodontists to provide treatment scholarships to underprivileged children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford treatment.

"I’m thrilled to have such a well-respected company like Ormco understand the importance of giving,” said David B. Carter, DMD, national president of Smile for a Lifetime.

"They are giving back in so many ways: to the lives they will change by sponsoring this charitable foundation and to our profession by helping the public see us as not only health-care providers, but also as health-care givers. In this, and many other ways, Ormco continues to be a truly visionary company.”

Ormco will donate a number of appliances including the Damon System, a combination of tieless braces and high-tech memory archwires that help clinicians treat patients quickly and comfortably. Doctors also will have access to the Simpli5 express aligner system through Ormco’s AOA Orthodontic Laboratory, which manufacturers customized appliances.

In addition, Ormco manufactures Insignia advance smile design, a combination of 3-D digital treatment planning software and custom-designed brackets and wires tailored to a patient’s specific dental anatomy.

With average treatment fees ranging from $5,000 or more, orthodontia can be financially challenging for many parents. Smile for a Lifetime provides scholarships for orthodontic treatment in communities around the country.

Each year, Smile for a Lifetime reviews hundreds of applicants before selecting those who will receive treatment based on financial need, letters of recommendation, community involvement and special circumstances. To date, the organization has provided more than $2 million in orthodontic care for individuals who cannot afford treatment and may not have other opportunities to acquire assistance.

“Orthodontists affiliated with the foundation donate their services, while this new arrangement with Ormco ensures that the appliances they use will be available without any out-of-pocket expenses,” said Dr. Carter.

Added Dr. Donald Montano, a long-time Smile for a Lifetime provider and chapter leader in California: “Ormco is a recognized leader in orthodontic supplies, ingenuity, and education. I have been a long-time user of Ormco products and am very pleased to have their support. While I’m happy for their support, I’m also not surprised. It’s what great companies do!”

According to Ken Konopa, Ormco president: “We are so proud to support the exceptional work that Smile for a Lifetime and their affiliated orthodontists around the country are doing to change the lives of children. A beautiful smile can literally transform the life of an individual, giving them the confidence they need to pursue their dreams. This isn’t just about straightening teeth; it’s about giving underserved children a chance at a happier, more successful future.”

For more information, visit www.ormco.com and www.S4L.org.

To read more about Ormco, go to www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/article-display/2355395559/articles/dentisryiq/hygiene-department/exclusives/strengtheningOHP.html.

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