October 2015: Dr. John Merrill Helps Domestic and Sexual Violence Survivors Through Give Back a Smile
Huntersville, NC (PRWEB) October 22, 2015 -- Huntersville, NC, October 2015: More than five million individuals are affected by domestic violence each year in the U.S. and Canada, and local dentist Dr. John Merrill is helping heal the effects by participating in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s (AACDCF) Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program. Dr. John Merrill is one of many volunteer dentists involved with GBAS, which is available to restore the damaged smiles of eligible adult survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
“One in four women will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime. Chances are, you know someone who’s been affected,” said Dr. Merrill. “GBAS has restored the smiles of more than 1,400 intimate partner violence survivors to date, and we’re looking to help even more. If you know of someone who has suffered injuries to the smile-zone at the hands of a former intimate partner or spouse, family member or due to sexual assault, please contact GBAS.”
GBAS volunteer dentists provide smile-zone restoration treatment at no charge to eligible adult survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Survivors apply for services through GBAS, and must make an appointment with a counselor, domestic violence advocate, social worker or therapist to complete the advocate section of the GBAS application.
GBAS conducts the initial review of the application, and the volunteer dentist makes the final determination of eligibility. GBAS will connect initially qualified applicants with a local GBAS volunteer, who then provides treatment at no charge. All applicants must fulfill certain criteria established by GBAS.
If you or you know of someone that could be helped by GBAS, or someone who would like to get involved in the program, please visit the GBAS website at http://www.givebackasmile.com or call toll-free 800.773.4227 for more information.
Dr. John Merrill, Northstar Dentistry for Adults, http://www.northstardentistryforadults.com/, +1 704-450-6500, [email protected]
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