Henry Schein supports Dentists for Africa e.V.

The handover of the donation check signifies Henry Schein's contribution to helping Africans help themselves. For around 15 years, the non-profit association Dentists for Africa e.V. has worked on projects in Kenya aimed at helping improve access to local medical care for underprivileged people. As part of its Henry Schein Cares program, Henry Schein Dental Germany has been an active supporter of this charitable organization for several years, having made contributions in-kind and cash donations, as well as regularly providing free repairs to dental hand tools and angle pieces. Once again this year, Henry Schein is showing its social commitment. Just recently, a check for EUR 8351 was handed over to Dr. Peter Dierck, Second Chairman of Dentists for Africa e.V. Much has happened since the founding of the organization in 1999. In addition to working locally, there is a clear focus on helping people to help themselves. In this respect, the organization focuses specifically on the increasing number of opportunities for handing over more responsibility to the local people, thus ensuring their lasting ability to help themselves. The association invests a large portion of the donations in the education and on-the-job training of orphans. After completing school, the organization also provides appropriate training opportunities. Oral health officers, dental technicians, medical engineers and even dentistry students are trained to be actively involved in the medical projects and to take responsibility for the dental practices set up by the organization. Dentists for Africa e.V. also organizes dental information sessions, serial examinations and the subsequent treatment for school children, deploying dental personnel from Africa and Europe to conduct these activities. Dr. Peter Dierck, a dentist from the German town of Blomberg in East Westphalia-Lippe, has been a member of Dentists for Africa e.V. for seven years and is in charge of press public relations and fundraising activities. I feel the need to help the people of Kenya gain the opportunity to have an independent life and make their own choices, as well as provide on-location assistance with dentistry during my visits, said Dierck. Torsten Rauch, a dental technician at Henry Schein Dental Germany, has been a member from the very start. For years, he has poured his heart and soul into the organization and repaired treatment units and various other devices on location. The annual missions in Kenya are always a special experience for me a mix of adventure while doing something positive at the same time. When you've been part of it from the very beginning, you gain a very special connection to the projects and, of course, a personal interest in its long-term success. Each mission is different, and you're faced with new challenges some of which seem insurmountable. But at the end of the day, you're pleased when everything works out and the devices are running smoothly again, said Rauch. The technician receives a special week-long vacation each year in order to take part in the missions. The social involvement of Henry Schein has deep roots. The Dental Mobile in Hanover, for example, is one of the regional projects Henry Schein has actively supported for several years. Carsten Brning, Henry Schein Director of Warehousing for Lower Saxony/OWL, insisted that he be the one again this year to personally present a dental chair to the founders of the project, Dr. Ingeburg and Werner Mannherz, for their work in the Dental Mobile. The Dental Mobile, which is equipped with a working dentistry setup, drives around Hannover and the surrounding areas. Improving the health of homeless people, undocumented adults as well as children and young people in socially underprivileged areas is the goal of these dedicated dentists and specialists. Caption: Picture 1: Natascha Hollingshead-Tamer, Manager Communications at Henry Schein Dental Germany, hands over the donation cheque to Dr. Peter Dierck, second chairman of Dentists for Africa e.V.

Picture 2: Dentists for Africa e.V. also organizes dental information sessions, serial examinations and the subsequent treatment for school children. Picture 3: Carsten Brning, Depot Manager Region Lower Saxony/OWL, personally hands over a treatment chair to Dr. Ingeburg Mannherz for usage in the Dental Mobile.