Henry Schein, Inc., the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, awarded the inaugural Henry Schein Cares Medal for oral health to the Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The award will be given annually to one organization that demonstrates excellence in expanding access to oral health care for people in need.
Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc., presented the Phoenix-based organization with the medal at the company’s national dental sales meeting in Dallas in late June.
St. Vincent de Paul was recognized for the work of its Dental Clinic, which has partnered with local schools for 19 years to identify low-income and uninsured children who have serious dental needs. Volunteer dentists and oral health professionals working with SVdP’s Dental Clinic provide these children with individual treatment plans that include preventive and restorative treatment, orthodontic care and oral hygiene education.
“For the past 84 years, our company has been guided by the idea that corporate success and social responsibility are two sides of the same coin, and we created the Henry Schein Cares Medal to recognize those organizations whose commitment to helping people in need so closely mirrors our own,” said Bergman said in a press release.
Henry Schein works to serve society through the Henry Schein Cares global corporate social responsibility program. The company uses its resources to support health care professionals around the world who provide care for those who would otherwise have little or no access to it. The Henry Schein Cares Medal honors organizations whose work has been especially effective in bringing care to those in need.
More than 11,000 children have received treatment from the clinic since its inception. The clinic also provides treatment to adults in need, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, and denture fittings.
“Our dental clinic is a key piece of our mission to feed, clothe, house and heal people and families in the Phoenix community who have nowhere else to turn for help, and we are honored to be recognized for our efforts with the Henry Schein Cares Medal,” said Dr. Ken Snyder, SVdP’s Dental Director. “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the dental volunteers who donate their time and talent to preserving smiles and ensuring that children and adults understand the link between oral health and their overall health.”
SVdP was selected by an independent panel of judges from a field of three finalists, which also included Apple Tree Dental of Coon Rapids, Minnesota and the San Diego Dental Health Foundation. As the medalist, SVdP will receive $15,000 in cash from the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc. to support its work. In addition, each finalist will receive $10,000 worth of product from Henry Schein, Inc.
The company awarded medals earlier in the year to organizations in the medical health and animal health industries.
The application period for the 2017 Henry Schein Cares Medal will be announced this summer.
