Young NASCAR Fans to Receive Free Dental Treatment, Education at NASCAR Charlotte Race Weekend

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Dental Association's (ADA) Give Kids A Smile® program, Henry Schein, Inc., and 3M ESPE are teaming up to put good oral health on the fast track for young fans of NASCAR.  

On Oct. 15, the team of three industry and professional sponsors will host a dental health screening event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway's "Kid Zone" during the NASCAR Charlotte Race Weekend.  Volunteer dentists and other dental team members will give underserved children free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments and dental sealants at this unique event. Children will receive digital X-rays embedded in a wristband as their badge of honor for participating.  

The event also serves as an advance celebration of the Give Kids A Smile program's 10th anniversary in 2012. Fans can follow Give Kids A Smile on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GiveKidsASmile.

The NASCAR Charlotte Race Weekend oral health care and treatment event follows a March 12 oral health care education event held during NASCAR SpeedFest, an annual appreciation day for NASCAR fans held at Charlotte Motor Speedway that approximately 7,000 children enjoyed.  At a tent hosted by the American Dental Association, Henry Schein Cares, and 3M ESPE, oral health education was provided to participating children.  Children received a "SpeedFest kit," which included a card with oral health tips, a toothbrush, Colgate toothpaste, and Henry Schein dental floss.  

"The special oral health screening event at NASCAR's Charlotte Race Weekend underscores the deep commitment of the ADA, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein to raising awareness of the importance of oral health education and screening for children," said William R. Calnon, D.D.S., president-elect of the ADA.  "Given that tooth decay is a leading childhood disease, and one that is easily preventable, we firmly believe that it is never too early to begin oral health education and screening."  

Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and CEO for Henry Schein, the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners adds, "Our team of participating sponsors is focused on winning the race to increase access to oral health care for children.  Great events like NASCAR's Charlotte Race Weekend provide special opportunities to tell a new audience about the importance of oral health.  The success of these events illustrates the power of the public-private partnership – the key to the success of Henry Schein Cares, our global social responsibility program. Together, we can make a powerful impact in improving access to care for underserved communities."

In honor of this special oral health program, NASCAR driver Greg Biffle's #16 3M car and uniform will sport the Give Kids A Smile, 3M ESPE, and Henry Schein Cares logos during the Charlotte Bank of America 500 Race.

"3M ESPE is proud to partner with these esteemed peers to provide dental care to children who may not otherwise receive this treatment," said John Stefanick, director, Industry & Professional Relations of 3M ESPE, the manufacturer and marketer of more than 2,000 dental products.

Give Kids A Smile is an ADA initiative where dentists and their dental teams provide free oral health care services to children from underserved communities across the country. Now in its ninth year, more than 12,000 dentists nationwide provided free oral health care to almost 400,000 underserved children.  A flagship program of Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein Dental serves as the exclusive professional product sponsor for "Give Kids A Smile Day" in February.  Steve Kess, Henry Schein's Vice President of Global Professional Relations, serves as the chair for the ADA Give Kids A Smile National Advisory Board.

Visit GKAS NASCAR - Henry Schein Dental to donate and order a commemorative #16 car which has custom replica graphics and a commemorative plaque stand.  Proceeds benefit the Give Kids A Smile nationwide program expansion activities to help children in need of dental care.

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 156,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org

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. 

About 3M ESPE

3M ESPE manufactures and markets more than 2,000 products and services designed to help dental professionals improve their patients' oral health care. 3M Health Care, one of 3M's six major business segments, provides world-class innovative products and services to help health care professionals improve the practice and delivery of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets. The recently created 3M Digital Oral Care Department, part of the 3M ESPE Division, aims to accelerate and strengthen 3M's efforts to lead the digital transformation that is occurring in oral care. For more information on the complete 3M ESPE line of dental products visit the 3M ESPE Web site at www.3MESPE.com or call the 3M ESPE Technical Hotline at 1-800-634-2249. Products are available for purchase through authorized 3M ESPE distributors.  

3M and ESPE are trademarks of 3M ESPE or 3M ESPE AG.

SOURCE American Dental Association