Launches the Invisalign Better Smiles Movement in partnership with Operation Smile Singapore to rally support for medical treatment of underprivileged children born with cleft problems (image: dcosand/ Flickr)
Singapore, June 26, 2014 (Korea Bizwire)–Align Technology Inc., creators of Invisalign clear aligners, today unveiled two community initiatives under the Invisalign Better Smiles Movement in Singapore, home of the Company’s Asia Pacific headquarters. These initiatives include the partnership between Align’s Singapore subsidiary and the local non-profit organization Operation Smile Singapore (OSS) to raise public awareness around children born with cleft lip and palate, and fund treatment and outreach activities through a nation-wide campaign, as well as the introduction of the Invisalign Foundation Medal and Prize in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Dentistry.
“Align Technology is a firm believer of giving back to the community. Coupled with our belief that a smile has the ability to bring people closer and inspire great confidence and joy in their daily lives, we have launched these two initiatives in Singapore,” said Julie Tay, Align Technology Vice President for Asia Pacific. “The Invisalign Better Smiles Movement demonstrates our commitment to bring positive change to society, especially in our local communities. We hope to serve as a springboard for inspiration, to rally other like-minded individuals, professionals, and organizations to join us, and be part of a movement that enables people to harness the power of smiles as a universal language of kindness and joy.”
As part of the Invisalign Better Smiles Movement, Align is running a campaign together with local non-profit organization, Operation Smile Singapore, to raise awareness for children born with cleft lip and palate, and to garner support from Singaporeans through public donations of their “Smiles”. Starting today, members of the public can participate by donating photographs of their Smiles through Facebook (apps.facebook.com/invisalignbsm), or by simply adding the #InvisalignBetterSmiles hashtag to their photo on Instagram. The public can also participate by submitting their Smiles at a series of roadshows across Singapore using the Smile Machine photobooth with an initial campaign objective to garner 8,000 Smiles. Every Smile collected from 25 June 2014 to 25 December 2014 will be matched with a S$1 donation from Align to Operation Smile Singapore, to bring about better smiles and improve the lives of children in Asia Pacific plagued with cleft problems.
Dr. Vincent Yeow, Operation Smile Singapore Chairman said, “We are excited to embark on this journey of better smiles with Align Technology. We hope that through these activities we will not only bring joy to more children in the region, but also help more people understand the challenges these children face in their day-to-day life.”
In addition to the campaign, Align Technology will donate S$30,000 to National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Dentistry for the Invisalign Foundation Medal and Prize. The Invisalign Foundation Medal and Prize will be selected and awarded by NUS to the top student with distinction in Orthodontics in the final Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) examination. The award will also comprise of a gold medal plus cash prize of S$1,000.
“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with National University of Singapore Faculty of Dentistry,” said Julie. “Through this award, we hope to encourage and equip our future generation of dentists to discover and help shape the future of orthodontics.”
Associate Professor Kelvin Foong, National University of Singapore Discipline Director for Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, adds, “NUS Faculty of Dentistry plays an important role in developing the next generation of leaders in the dental profession, and the Invisalign Foundation Medal and Prize serves as an encouragement to our postgraduate students in orthodontics to excel as clinically competent professionals. We are happy for Align Technology’s support of our educational role and look forward to exploring opportunities to work with Align in both education and research collaborations in the future.”
About Align Technology, Inc.
Align Technology is the leader in modern clear aligner orthodontics that designs, manufactures and markets the Invisalign system, which provides dental professionals with a range of treatment options for adults and teenagers. The Company also offers the iTero 3D digital scanning system and services for orthodontic and restorative dentistry. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign system in 1998. Visit www.aligntech.com for more information. For additional information about Invisalign clear aligners or to find an Invisalign provider in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com. For additional information about iTero, please visit www.itero.com.
About Invisalign
Adults and teens now have a modern choice for straightening their teeth. No more wires and brackets required – the Invisalign system is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include: being removable, no food restrictions, minimal interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing they are in treatment. Learn more and find a provider at sea.invisalign.com. All Invisalign products are designed, manufactured and marketed by Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN).
About Operation Smile
Operation Smile, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is an international children’s medical charity with a presence in more than 60 countries, whose network of more than 5,400 medical volunteers from over 80 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 220,000 free surgical procedures for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. To build long-term self-sufficiency in resource poor environments, Operation Smile trains doctors and local medical professionals in its partner countries so they are empowered to treat their local communities. Operation Smile also donates medical equipment, supplies and provides year-round medical treatment through its worldwide centers.
About National University of Singapore, Faculty of Dentistry
The NUS Faculty of Dentistry is an educational institution of international standing. Beginning as a modest department of dentistry within the King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1929, the NUS Faculty of Dentistry had served Singaporeans with distinction in the last 85 years. The Faculty had produced generations of dental surgeons who have contributed to raising the standard of oral healthcare for Singaporeans. Many of our 1,700 graduates have gone on to distinguish themselves in their professional endeavors, both locally and overseas. The dedication and commitment of our faculty members and students not only helped to shape the faculty, but also established it as an academic institution of international standing.
Source: Align Technology, Inc. (via ACN Newswire)
