MELVILLE, N.Y., May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) recently joined members of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity (AO) in Washington, DC, on April 25—Holocaust Remembrance Day—for a panel discussion designed to educate Capitol Hill legislative staff about the oral health needs of Holocaust survivors living in poverty, as well as the successes of the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.
More than 30 AO dentists from across the U.S. who volunteer for the program also attended the event and met with their local legislators to discuss its impact. The program, which was launched in November 2014 in response to the White House's call to action to help Holocaust survivors age with dignity and respect, has provided free dental care to more than 600 Holocaust survivors across North America.
Rep. Thomas Suozzi of New York delivered remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day and lauded the program, saying it "serves as a model for what we can accomplish when we work together to help those in need." Rep. Suozzi's remarks in their entirety were entered into the Congressional Record and can be found here.
Care recipients are identified by the network of Jewish Family and Children's Service agencies or other identified partner organizations, as well as people of any faith who were victims of Nazi persecution and meet the program's other eligibility requirements. In addition to financial need, patient participation is prioritized by three critical factors: the elimination of pain, restoration of function, and lack of dental coverage. Participating clinicians determine each patient's scope of care.
The program fills a critical need for many of the 100,000 Holocaust survivors living in the U.S., one third of whom live in poverty. Survivors often have special oral health needs, as many suffered from prolonged nutritional deprivation and had little to no dental care access as children during World War II. Participating AO chapters include those in Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Detroit; Los Angeles; New York City; the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area; Philadelphia; Phoenix; San Francisco; Seattle; the greater Washington, DC, area; and West Hartford, Connecticut in the U.S., and Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg in Canada.
"The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program demonstrates the impact that innovative partnerships can have on the oral health, overall health, and quality of life of this most deserving population," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. "In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, we gathered to educate our nation's leadership, and ask for their support in propelling action to ensure that Holocaust survivors live their lives in comfort and dignity."
About Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity
The Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity (AO) is the oldest international Jewish dental and medical organization. Founded in 1907 at the University of Maryland School of Dental Medicine, AO has expanded into an international community of dental professionals who are guided by the tenets of professionalism, fraternalism, and commitment to Judaic values.
With over 100 alumni and student chapters in 10 countries, AO members embrace the spirit of Tikkun Olam, or healing the world through charitable endeavors. As healers, our members strive to make their communities better. For more information, please contact Heidi Weber, AO Executive Director, at hweber@ao.org.
About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.
