The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), St. Louis, is expanding its Donated Orthodontic Services (DOS) program thanks to corporate partnerships secured through the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO).
DOS provides orthodontic care to indigent children without insurance coverage, or children who do not qualify for other assistance in their state of residence. The program is currently offered in five states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The sponsorships are expected to help DOS expand to additional states, according to the organization.
NESO, which is a constituent organization within the AAO, has partnered with Performance Healthcare Products, Brentwood, Tenn, and Shock Doctor, Minneapolis, two orthodontic product manufacturers, to expand DOS.
Performance Healthcare Products, which manufactures advanced scrubs and sleepwear, agreed to donate 10% of sales of Performance Scrubs and 25% of sales of Performance Sleepwear made to NESO members or others who choose to designate a DOS donation. Shock Doctor, a manufacturer of mouth guards, made a direct donation of $5,000 and has agreed to donate 10% of all sales made to orthodontists to DOS.
The AAO said the corporate sponsorships are the first for the program.