Henry Schein, Supplier Partners, and American Dental Association Open The NASDAQ Stock Market in Celebration of 'Give Kids a Smile' Tenth Anniversary

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, and its supplier partners have joined with the American Dental Association (ADA), Colgate-Palmolive and DEXIS to sponsor the tenth annual ADA "Give Kids A Smile Day."  In celebration of a decade of success for the Give Kids A Smile Program, Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc., opened the NASDAQ Stock Market. 

Henry Schein Dental, the U.S. Dental division of Henry Schein, serves as the exclusive professional product sponsor of "Give Kids A Smile Day."  With the participation of 29 supplier partners, the Company was once again able to support oral health care screenings for more than 400,000 children throughout the United States. Nationwide almost 40,000 dental team volunteers, including more than 10,000 dentists, are participating in events held at 1,600 nationwide locations.  Over the past decade, Henry Schein and its supplier partners have donated products and services valued at more than $11 million to the program, which support hundreds of millions of dollars of work done by dentists to help 4.5 million children.  

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease, including asthma, early-childhood obesity and diabetes. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems in eating, speaking, playing and learning.  What's more, according to the ADA, children living in poverty suffer twice as much tooth decay as their more affluent peers, and their disease is more likely to go untreated.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that oral health disparities exist for many racial and ethnic groups, but are most pronounced in children aged 2-4 and 6-8 of Mexican American and black, non-Hispanic descent.  A disproportionate share of tooth decay, approximately 80 percent, is found in 25 percent of children.

"Each year, we marvel at the commitment and dedication of every segment of the dental community in this quintessential example of the power of public-private partnership," said Mr. Bergman.  "With today's 'Give Kids A Smile' events around the country, we once again underscore the seriousness of the silent epidemic of cavities in children and the importance of proper oral health to prevent oral disease in at-risk children.  Together we can help 'Give Kids A Smile' fulfill its mission of eliminating cavities in U.S. five-year-olds by 2020."

In an effort to combat this epidemic, the ADA expanded the Give Kids A Smile program, which began as a single-day event, into a year-round effort to increase access to oral care for underserved and at-risk children. Two of the most visible 2012 "Give Kids A Smile" events are taking place at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Dental School in Newark, New Jersey and the Dental Hygiene Program at Bergen Community College in New Jersey.  At these two events, more than 600 children who may have never visited a dentist will be screened by more than 150 dental team volunteers.  Henry Schein Dental, Colgate and DEXIS are sponsoring a bus tour for policy makers and leaders from the dental profession, academia and industry to visit these two events and highlight the importance of access to oral care for children.

"The tremendous success of 'Give Kids A Smile' over the past decade is a testament to the deep commitment of our membership and the dental industry to confront the critical issue of access to oral care for underserved and at-risk children in the United States," said Dr. William R. Calnon, President of the American Dental Association and himself a volunteer in the program. "The ADA is grateful for the strong support of Henry Schein, DEXIS and Colgate-Palmolive, as well as our many other industry partners, in helping 'Give Kids A Smile' provide oral care for 400,000 children in need this year."

During 2011, the 'Give Kids A Smile' program expanded when the ADA, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein hosted a free oral health screening event for young NASCAR fans at the Charlotte Motor Speedway's "Kid Zone" during the NASCAR Charlotte Race Weekend on October 15. In addition to oral health screening, treatment and education for underserved children, the festivities featured a visit from NASCAR star Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion, whose car and uniform sported the Give Kids A Smile, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein Cares logos during the Charlotte Bank of America 500 Race.  3M ESPE presented the hood of the NASCAR car to ADA President William Calnon during today's opening of the NASDAQ stock market.

"We're proud to help support the great work of the ADA and Henry Schein on the Give Kids A Smile program and bring new awareness for this important cause," said Mark Gates, Vice President, US Sales & Marketing, 3M ESPE Division.  "As a new father, Greg Biffle is a terrific ambassador to help share the message about improving dental health for children in need.  And 3M ESPE is committed to building Give Kids A Smile into an even more dynamic, robust program to serve many more children in the years to come."

Steve Kess, Vice President of Global Professional Relations for Henry Schein, has served as Chair of the ADA's "Give Kids A Smile" National Advisory Committee since the Committee's inception in 2006.  This year, Mr. Kess will step down from his position as Chair of the National Advisory Committee. 

Manufacturers Supporting the 2012 "Give Kids A Smile" Program Through Product Donations

About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index.  The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices.  Henry Schein's five businesses – Dental, Medical, Animal Health, International and Technology – serve more than 700,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health practices, as well as government and other institutions.  The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.  Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 14,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 25 countries.  The Company's net sales reached a record $7.5 billion in 2010.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.  

SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.