08 May 2024

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Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train Intensify Drive in Asia to Improve Cleft Care for Patients in Need

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Dentsply Sirona, the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, and Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, have put their joint focus on improving cleft care in underserved communities in Asia. The long-time partners are seeking to improve access to and quality of cleft care through equipment donations to Smile Train partners’ centers and the distribution of oral health kits to patients, starting later this year. This effort is the latest venture to come out of the five-year partnership between Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train.

Dental equipment for Smile Train partner treatment center in the Philippines

To help improve cleft care for patients in the Philippines, Dentsply Sirona has donated two Primescan Connect intraoral scanners and an Orthophos S 3D extraoral x-ray imaging system, with a Primeprint 3D printer to be delivered later this year. This equipment was gifted to Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI) in Manila, one of Smile Train’s regional Cleft Leadership Centers. NCFPI is a non-profit organization that has been providing comprehensive cleft care to patients from underserved communities with cleft and craniofacial anomalies since 2006. Thanks to the dental technology donation, NCFPI has access to cutting-edge equipment, allowing their team of medical professionals to provide more personalized and effective care.

“We are delighted with this generous donation,” said Vanessa P. Enriquez, executive director at NCFPI. “The gift marks a significant stride in advancing cleft care for children in need across the country and enables us to provide even better outcomes and brighter futures to young Filipinos with clefts.”

Donation of 300 oral health kits with a personal touch

In addition, Dentsply Sirona will begin distributing 300 oral health kits to Smile Train partners’ centers across the Philippines, India and to be given to cleft patients and their families. The kits are made from sustainable products and include a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, a timer as well as a flyer with information on how to achieve and maintain oral health. The oral health kits were assembled by the Dentsply Sirona APAC Leadership team, while Dentsply Sirona employees wrote personalized get-well messages to go with them.

This initiative is a repeat of last year’s successful outreach project which saw Dentsply Sirona leadership teams and employees assemble 500 oral health kits which Smile Train subsequently handed out to patients in its partners’ facilities in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

“Creating healthy smiles is a cornerstone of our sustainability strategy “BEYOND: Taking action for a brighter world”—and helping children around the world gain access to cleft treatment is one of the most rewarding ways of doing this,” said Bruce Peatey, group vice president APAC RCO at Dentsply Sirona. “We couldn’t imagine a better partner than Smile Train and we are proud that together we are furthering cleft care not just in Asia, but around the world. It is thanks to the undisputed power of digital technologies that we have been able to advance the quality and access to cleft care significantly, effecting positive change and enabling life-changing treatment for those in need.”

“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, Smile Train is delighted to have found a partner in Dentsply Sirona who is as passionate about smiles as we are. Our joint work is beneficial to the cleft community and individuals born with facial differences. It also makes the work of the healthcare professionals who treat cleft-affected individuals easier. We are looking forward to many more achievements in the future,” said Mamta Carrol, senior vice president and regional director, Asia for Smile Train.

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands.

Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care.

Dentsply Sirona’s headquarter is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY.

About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive.

Source: www.smiletrain.org