Dental News - Henry Schein aims to enhance quality of life of Holocaust survivors

Dental Tribune USA

Mon. 16 February 2015

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MELVILLE, N.Y., USA: Henry Schein Cares, the global corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein Inc., and Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity recently announced the launch of the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program. The program was created in response to the White House’s call to action to help Holocaust survivors in the United States age with dignity and support.

The value of the dental care to be provided during the first year of this program is estimated to be approximately $1 million.

Vice President Joe Biden applauded the program at the General Assembly of Jewish Federation of North America, saying “At least 25 percent of Holocaust survivors … in the United States … [are] living in poverty. With your encouragement, and the president’s authority, I announced the appointment of a special envoy for U.S. Holocaust survivors to … [rally] volunteer organizations throughout the country, from AmeriCorps … to the Association of Jewish Families and Children’s Agencies, to Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and Henry Schein, giving free dental care to [250-300] survivors.”

In January 2014, Jonathan Greenblatt, special assistant to the president and director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the Domestic Policy Council, described Aviva Sufian’s appointment as the first special envoy for Holocaust survivor services by noting that she would “collaborate with nonprofit organizations and the private sector to raise awareness about the needs of this vulnerable population and explore public-private partnerships that could provide additional support.”

When Henry Schein and Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity heard from the special envoy about the dental needs of survivors, they created the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.

“Henry Schein and Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity firmly believe that there is an important opportunity for the creation of an innovative public-private partnership to improve the lives of this most deserving and vulnerable population,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein Inc. “We are honored to answer the White House’s call to action, and hope that the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program will serve as a model for how other private and public sector actors can partner to help survivors age in the comfort and dignity they deserve.”

The program is a pilot three-year initiative that will provide pro-bono dental care to a total of 250 to 300 Holocaust survivors across nine North American metropolitan areas in the first year. The program is commencing in the following areas: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, Philadelphia, Seattle, Montreal and Toronto. The program will focus on providing care for the most economically vulnerable Holocaust survivors who are served by the network of Jewish Family and Children’s Service agencies or other identified partner organizations, as well as individuals of any faith who were victims of Nazi persecution and meet the other eligibility requirements of the program.

The individuals who will participate in the program will be directly referred through the local Jewish Family and Children’s Service agencies or another identified local partner organization. In addition to financial need, the three critical factors in prioritizing patients for participation will be: elimination of pain, restoring function and lack of dental coverage. A clear set of clinical guidelines will direct the specific scope of care to be provided through this program.

“One of Alpha Omega’s mission objectives is to promote and support the ideals of oral health. As an international Jewish dental organization we have a unique perspective and a special bond to Holocaust survivors,” said Avi Wurman, DDS, president, Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity. “All of us recognize the need to improve the oral health and the quality of life of this most deserving segment of our population. Alpha Omegans are extremely proud to be an integral partner of the Alpha Omega - Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.”

Holocaust survivors in the United States are very much in need of support and services. One quarter of the approximately 120,000 Holocaust survivors in the United States live in poverty, in contrast to approximately 9 percent of the general population of the same age group. This population has special oral care needs, as many experienced prolonged nutritional deprivation and little to no dental care throughout their childhoods during World War II, which impacted their lifelong oral health.

(Source: PRNewswire)

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