(1888PressRelease)
October 26, 2006 - CONTACT: Steven V. Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, sdubin ( @ ) prworkzone dot com
DATELINE: OCTOBER 24, 2006; DUXBURY, MASS…With October being Domestic Violence Awareness month, local American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) dentist, Joseph Santelli, DDS, has recently aided a South Shore resident in the AACD’s “Give Back A Smile” program to fight domestic violence.
With offices in Duxbury, Dr. Santelli restored the smile of Mrs. C.L.K. (full name withheld for privacy), a domestic violence survivor who suffered extensive dental injuries from abuse, which included several missing front teeth.
“Through the ‘Give Back A Smile’ program, AACD members like me assist survivors by treating their dental injuries that were sustained from domestic violence, so that they may reclaim their smiles, their self-esteem, and ultimately, their lives,” explained Dr. Santelli.
How “Give Back A Smile” Works
Domestic violence survivors who have suffered dental injuries from abuse contact the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) by calling “Give Back A Smile” Toll Free at 800-773-4227. The survivor then undergoes screening sessions with the NCADV and a local counselor of their choice to determine if they are eligible for the program.
If eligible, they are then referred to the AACD for acceptance. The AACD connects the survivor with a local “Give Back A Smile” volunteer, who in this case, was Dr. Joseph Santelli, who provides treatment at no charge to the survivor.
Dr. Santelli enlisted the help of Block Dental Laboratories of Pembroke in the restoration of Mrs. K.’s smile. Drs. Glen Branca and William Lane (who are oral surgeons in Plymouth) also donated their services which included general anesthesia.
“I have learned that there are good, caring people in the world; that we are not alone and that there are such things as miracles. Dr. Santelli has done so much for me. You could say he has given me back my life,” said Mrs. K., who is now ready to re-enter the workforce and hopes to secure a full time job.
More than five million people are affected by domestic violence every year in the United States. The “Give Back A Smile” program is a humanitarian effort of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the AACD Charitable Foundation, Inc. In 2001, the AACD was one of only eight organizations in the world to receive the Award of Excellence and the prestigious Associations Advance America Summit Award (sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives) for its “Give Back A Smile” program.
For more information about the Give Back A Smile program, visit the website at www.givebackasmile.com or call the National Hotline at 800-773-GBAS (4227).
Joseph Santelli, DDS at the Center for Progressive Dentistry
Joseph Santelli, DDS, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), has been providing cosmetic and general dentistry to patients throughout the South Shore for more than 30 years. His specialty is mini-implants, which are very much like natural teeth and replace single or multiple missing front and/or back teeth or replace a full mouth of teeth. Mini-implants may be attached to crowns and are also ideal for stabilizing removable full dentures.
At Dr. Santelli’s Center for Progressive Dentistry, comfort is of the utmost importance and a calm, soothing environment is key. Wand anesthetic is used, so patients do not feel a sting when it is administered. At the conclusion of their appointment, patients are able to relax in a massage chair in the Recovery Spa, which is complete with dim lighting, calming music and waterfall feature.
The office is located at 33 Enterprise Street, Suite 9 in Duxbury, Mass. For more information about Dr. Santelli and his Center for Progressive Dentistry, visit www.duxburysmiles.com or contact (781) 934-9444.
