A vision to do better in the communities in which we live and work is at the forefront of many local activities. The following stories exemplify our focus on support through positive interactions with our local communities to ultimately achieve our vision of improved oral health worldwide.
Kids against cavities
February was Children’s Dental Health Month and Family First in York worked to raise money to support the Kids Against Cavities campaign. The campaign treated 1,887 kids and dental staff identified a total of 2,351 cavities throughout the 23 visits to York schools and child-care programs. Dentsply Sirona Corporate Clinical Affairs provided a $5,000 donation to Family First in York to support this campaign.
On February 4, Family First staff visited VIDA Charter School in Adams County to provide free screenings for children who had not visited a dentist in more than six months. Within 1.5 hours, 93 children were screened, many of whom admitted they had never been to the dentist. The goal for routine visits is to enable better dental care.
“Dentsply Sirona is proud to support Family First Health and its efforts to provide a dental home for children in the York and surrounding communities,” said Terri Dolan, VP and Chief Clinical Officer. “Their Kids Against Cavities outreach provides oral health education and preventive services, giving children a healthy start in life.”
Dr. Joe Mountain, dental director of the Family First Health Hanover and Gettysburg centers conducts a screening during the campaign.
Mission accomplished
For years, Dentsply Sirona has supported Water Street Health Services in Lancaster with free dental consumable supplies. Water Street Health Services is the largest non-profit provider of free dental care for the homeless and needy in Lancaster and York counties.
As Dentsply Sirona’s solutions offering expanded with the merger, so did the possibilities for community support. New in 2016, the Endodontics SBU provided equipment and consumables giving Water Street the ability to conduct endodontic treatments. The Treatment Center SBU donated and installed a chair, while the Instruments SBU provided new electric hand pieces and Midwest donated air-driven hand pieces. The Clinical Affairs team monetarily contributed a portion of Day with Dentsply proceeds to the organization. Teams stepped into action across the United States, including personally volunteering time for the installation of products to enable better, safer, faster dental care.
Keith Clements, US Vice President of Sales alongside the Water Street Health Services team with the newly donated Dentsply Sirona treatment center.
Bringing out the best in our people
Across the Dentsply Sirona York Campus’, over 30 employees manage company committees driving events in support of local communities and the annual United Way campaign. Together, the commitments bring out the best in our people and provide support where needed to recognize our ability to benefit the communities in which we live and work.
The York Employee Gift Committee sponsored book fairs which raised funds for local giving and facilitated donation drives throughout the year. Donations include many diapers, baby supplies and clothes to Human Life Services; 12 large boxes of snacks to York City Day Camps; back-to-school supplies for an entire York City Ferguson classroom and annual monetary donations to approximately seven local charities planned for this December. Thank you to the 2016 Committee: Chris Marinelli, Kathy Krebs, Alicia Eaton, Corrie Hunt, Christie Emig, Lonnie Rudisill, and Maureen MacInnis for driving these important community plans.
I can't even begin to thank you enough for the wonderful backpack donations you brought in today. Seeing the smiles on their faces today was so heartwarming. You have given the kids such a great deal of self-confidence to begin the school year. Thank you again for your overwhelming kindness.
York Employee Gift Committee member, Corrie Hunt (far right), with staff and students at Ferguson receiving their back-to-school supplies and backpacks.
For over 20 years, Dentsply Sirona has been an active partner with local United Way campaigns, and the York Campus Community Engagement Committee (YCCEC) is helping to take this partnership to the next level. The YCCEC, comprised of representatives from Corporate, DNA, Preventive, and Prosthetics groups across York, drives employee events in support of our local community and the annual United Way campaign.
Through the annual United Way Giving Campaign, over $1,720,000 has been donated through employee and Corporate giving to local organizations in need. This year, the YCCEC coordinated over 15 events across York campuses. With a Corporate match of up to $31,500 and choosing New Hope Ministries as the Spotlight Agency this year, the YCCEC worked tirelessly this fall to ensure that giving back to the York and surrounding communities remained a priority. YCCEC’s work expands beyond the United Way campaign, and includes volunteer opportunities year-round. In November, Habitat for Humanity build dates were reserved for Dentsply Sirona employees to participate at the York Habitat Veteran’s Build in Manchester. Thank you to the 2016 YCCEC members: Malissa Fries, Gitesh Kumar, Jason Throckmorton, Jasmine Brillhart, Corrie Hunt, Paige Athey, Christine Emig, Meghan Smith, Benjamin Wilkie, and Terri Dolan. Also, thank you to Jim McNulty for his devotion and leadership on all local Dentsply Sirona Habitat for Humanity build days.
These contributions are what make a difference. They are consistent with our vision, and our unique capabilities to represent the greatest positive impact within our communities.