Give Back a Smile

402 West Wilson St
Madison WI 53703
800-543-9220
www.givebackasmile.com

ABOUT:

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program connects adult survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence who’ve received dental injuries from the abuse with volunteer cosmetic dentists who donate their time and services to restore their smiles. Dental services are available throughout the United States.

​Since the program’s 1999 inception, more than 1,800 people have had their smiles restored through the Give Back a Smile program.

ELIGIBILITY:

All persons age 18 and above who have received dental injuries to the smile-zone from:

Former intimate partner or spouse (husband, wife, domestic partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend)

Family member

Sexual violence (sexual assault and/or rape)

Human trafficking (may be considered)

​​The incident causing the dental injuries generally must have occurred at least one year ago. GBAS may make exceptions to the one-year requirements if the abuser is deceased or in jail/prison.

If hurt by an intimate partner or spouse: you need to be out of all abusive relationships for a minimum of one year.

If hurt by a family member: you need to have lived in a separate home from that person for a minimum of one year.

If hurt because of sexual assault: it needs to have happened at least one year ago​.

​​​The program does not help with dental neglect (such as cavities), gum disease, jaw injuries, or orthodontic treatment (braces, shifted teeth, and/or spaces between teeth).

​​The program does not replace or fix previous dental work done by any dentist including GBAS volunteers. In other words, dental work that does not fit, looks bad, no longer works, an implant that was started but not completed.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Must meet with a domestic violence/sexual assault advocate, case manager, counselor, faith leader, therapist or doctor with experience in counseling survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault, at least once.

If approved for the program, dental services are free. However, upon application, one of the following must be fulfilled:

Contribute a $20 application fee paid by money order only, to the Give Back a Smile program

Or, complete 10 hours of community service before sending in your application.

About the AACD Charitable Foundation Mission:

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation (AACDCF) assists in rebuilding the smiles and lives of adults who’ve suffered dental injuries from domestic and sexual violence, through compassionate cosmetic dental services and support programs.

Vision:

Restore a smile, Restore a life.

Give Back a Smile (GBAS):

The AACD Charitable Foundation's flagship program, Give Back a Smile (GBAS) heals some of the most devastating effects of domestic and sexual violence, by restoring the smiles of adults who have received dental injuries from a former intimate partner, family member, or due to sexual assault. Since the program's 1999 inception, AACD member dentists, dental laboratories, and other dental professionals have volunteered their time and expertise to restore the damaged smiles of more than 1,800 people for a total dollar value of more than $17 million. There are currently around 100 people receiving smile restorations across the United States.

Core Values:

In carrying out our mission, interacting with our volunteers, donors, GBAS program applicants, and Foundation staff, the AACDCF embraces the following values:

Integrity:

We approach all situations and stakeholders with respect, transparency, and we uphold the highest level of moral and ethical standards. We respect the confidential nature of our GBAS patient work and actively strive to protect program applicant information.

Generosity:

Our success depends on the generosity of our volunteers and supporters. We foster a culture that honors and recognizes those who make our work possible.

Peace:

We believe that everyone deserves to live a life that is free of danger and violence. While we work to heal the effects of domestic violence, we also strive to promote awareness about domestic violence in hopes of stopping it.

Compassion:

We have a strong desire to provide our services in a caring and empathic manner by actively working toward understanding what our program applicants have survived.

Compliance:

We recognize that the organization operates in a regulated environment by virtue of its tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and are conscious of the need to comply with the constraints and obligations of that status.

Map of Give Back a Smile 402 West Wilson St, Madison WI 53703

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