Newswise — CHARLOTTE, March 9, 2011 – The Charlotte Motor Speedway may not seem a likely spot to think about oral health, but younger NASCAR fans at the March 12 SpeedFest will learn how to improve their oral health and score free oral health kits. SpeedFest is an appreciation day for NASCAR fans and organizers expect approximately 7,000 area children to enjoy the festivities.

“We salute 3M ESPE Dental and Henry Schein Cares for their commitment to educating children about oral health. Tooth decay is one of the most prominent childhood illnesses, and education about oral health should start at a young age,” said Dr. Raymond Gist, president of the American Dental Association (ADA).

“In addition to educating children at SpeedFest, we are looking forward to October when we will help volunteer dentists treat children from low-income families,” said John Stefanick, Director, Industry & Professional Relations of 3M ESPE Dental, the manufacturer and marketer of more than 2,000 dental products. “We will literally give a smile to thousands of children from Charlotte and surrounding areas.”

On October 15, volunteer dentists will give underserved children free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments and dental sealants at the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Kid Zone. Organizers 3M ESPE Dental and Henry Schein Cares will sponsor a tent for volunteer dentists and other dental team volunteers to provide the free services and educate children about good oral health habits. Children will receive digital x-rays embedded in a wristband as their badge of honor for participating.

“Through Henry Schein Cares, our global corporate social responsibility program, we are committed to increasing access to care for underserved people worldwide,” said Tim Sullivan, president of Henry Schein Dental, the company’s U.S. Dental business. “It is essential to provide proper oral health care to children, and we are pleased to partner with the ADA and 3M ESPE as we capitalize on the popularity of NASCAR to address this goal.”

The SpeedFest kits include a card with oral health tips, along with a toothbrush, toothpaste and Henry Schein dental floss. And during the racing season, NASCAR fans can cheer on driver #16 Greg Biffle, whose 3M car and uniform also will sport the Give Kids A Smile, 3M and Henry Schein Cares logos.

Give Kids A Smile® is an ADA initiative where dentists and their dental teams provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country. Now in its ninth year, more than 12,000 dentists nationwide are expected to provide free oral health care to almost 400,000 underserved children. Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of U.S children 2 to 5 years old and 50 percent 12 to 15 years old. Yet most state Medicaid budgets allocate 2 percent or less for dental services. Volunteer work by dentists and their staffs help to fill the gap, but the ADA continues to advocate for long-term health care policy solutions.

About 3M ESPE3M ESPE manufactures and markets more than 2,000 products and services designed to help dental professionals improve their patients' oral health care. 3M Health Care, one of 3M’s six major business segments, provides world-class innovative products and services to help health care professionals improve the practice and delivery of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets. The recently created 3M Digital Oral Care Department, part of the 3M ESPE Division, aims to accelerate and strengthen 3M’s efforts to lead the digital transformation that is occurring in oral care. For more information on the complete 3M ESPE line of dental products visit the 3M ESPE Web site at www.3MESPE.com or call the 3M ESPE Technical Hotline at 1-800-634-2249. Products are available for purchase through authorized 3M ESPE distributors.

3M and ESPE are trademarks of 3M ESPE or 3M ESPE AG.

About Henry Schein CaresHenry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is a Fortune 500(R) company and a member of the NASDAQ 100(R) Index. The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. Henry Schein's five businesses - North American Dental, North American Medical, North American Animal Health, International and Technology - serve more than 700,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 14,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 24 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $6.5 billion in 2009. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

About the American Dental AssociationThe not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 156,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org

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