Download PDF - Give a Smile

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For immediate release
Friday 5th June, 2015
Give a Smile Celebrates 10 years Bringing Smiles
to Young People in Need
With nearly 1500 recipients, more than 350 supporting Give a Smile orthodontists across
Australia and an estimated saving to the public dental system of $10 million, Give a Smile has
a lot to celebrate since they began their commitment to providing pro bono specialist
orthodontic care to as many under-privileged Australian children as possible.
Celebrating their 10th anniversary today at Luna Park, where ten years ago it all started – and
was launched by the then Federal Health Minister, Hon. Tony Abbott, MP - Founder and Chair
of Give a Smile, Dr Ted Crawford, said that the work of Give a Smile orthodontists Australiawide continues to change the lives of young people.
"When Give a Smile began in 2005 it was a response to a challenge to do something useful.
We set in place the charitable arm of the Australian Society of Orthodontists to facilitate
specialist orthodontic treatment for in-need Australian families who could not otherwise afford
private orthodontic services for their children,' said Dr Crawford.
"While we provide a service which improves the dental health of these kids, it is the selfesteem and emotional benefits that these children experience that are immeasurable following
their Give a Smile treatment," he said.
Give a Smile patron, renowned Australian comedian and actor, Shane Bourne, has been a
great supporter of Give a Smile since its inception: ““It has been a privilege to see the
transformation and empowerment of these children’s lives. A truly great cause.”!” says Bourne.
Emma White-Reese was Give a Smile's first ever recipient and her treatment has had a
profound effect on her self confidence and self-esteem. "As soon as I had my braces off, I felt
like I was ready to take on anything. There's a lot I wouldn't have been confident enough to do,
without my improved smile. If it weren't for this, since my treatment was so time sensitive it
wouldn't have been nearly as effective as it was. I would have lost my chance to live like any
other teenager."
Patients accepted into the Give a Smile program are offered a full-program of pro bono
orthodontic care. Depending on their needs, this treatment takes an average of two years to
complete. This equates to a saving to the public system of between $6,000 and $8,000 per
patient.
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At present, there are more than 350 Give a Smile orthodontists right across Australia offering
their unique skills to children in need – from Bunbury to Cairns and in between. The impressive
support level of over 60% of all ASO orthodontists has resulted in a massive 10% reduction in
public orthodontic waiting lists nation-wide. The work of Give a Smile orthodontists changes the
lives of these young people – and this is the most crucial and valued aspect of the program.
www.giveasmile.org
Facebook - GiveASmileAustralia
Dr Ted Crawford, Ms Emma White-Reese and Mr Shane Bourne are available for
interview.
Media enquiries - Libby Fordham +61 411 473 938
ENDS
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