Benevis Launches Nonprofit Foundation to Improve Dental Health Access and Outcomes Among Underserved Pediatric Patient Populations

ATLANTA, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Benevis, a leading health practice services company focused primarily in the dental provider sector, today announced the launch of its foundation, which will focus on improving dental health access and outcomes among underserved patient populations.

"Dental health access and affordability continues to be a challenge for millions of Americans," said Benevis Foundation spokesperson Geoffrey Freeman.  "Through research, education and outreach initiatives geared toward improving access, the foundation hopes to make quality, affordable dental care a reality for many more patients across the United States."

The foundation's research projects will include analyses of dental delivery models and cost savings associated with improving early access to dental care among underserved patient populations in both federal and state healthcare systems. Through these research efforts, the Benevis Foundation hopes to provide data that informs and strengthens public policy related to dental access and affordability.

Recognizing that education is essential to its mission of improving dental health access and outcomes, the foundation will also sponsor and produce dental health education events and resources, including dental health lesson plans for K-5 classrooms. For dentists, the foundation will sponsor a robust curriculum of ongoing continuing education courses. The foundation also supports the next generation of pediatric dentists through donations to clinical training programs, including a recent $25,000 grant to Louisiana State University's School of Dentistry.

The Benevis Foundation currently sponsors a number of community outreach programs led by Benevis affiliate dental providers, including Operation Troop Treats, the largest Halloween candy buy-back program by a dental organization in the United States. Donated candy is sent in care packages to troops serving overseas, along with dental kits donated by Kool Smiles. In partnership with Operation Gratitude, the Kool Smiles program encourages healthy habits at home while supporting American troops serving abroad.

The Benevis Foundation also provides monetary and logistical support for Sharing Smiles Day, a national day of free dental care for children. In 2015 alone, more than 450 children without dental insurance received much needed dental care at no cost during Sharing Smiles Day.

For more information about the Benevis Foundation, please visit www.benevis.com/benevis-foundation.

About Benevis
Benevis is a comprehensive practice services company committed to improving healthcare access by providing non-clinical, business support services to many of the nation's leading healthcare organizations.  By providing managerial and administrative services, Benevis allows practitioners to maximize their clinical outreach, reduce time spent on paperwork and increase time serving patients. For more information on Benevis and becoming an affiliated dentist, please visit www.Benevis.com.

SOURCE Benevis