Heraeus teams with the L.D. Pankey Foundation to Provide Free Oral Health Services to the Underserved in South Bend on August 14th – 15th

SOUTHBEND, IN, August 14, 2009 - On Thursday, August 14 - 15, 2009, Heraeus Kulzer, LLC, the worldwide leader in dental esthetics, will participate in an outreach program with The L.D. Pankey Foundation to provide free oral health services to the underserved in South Bend, Indiana. The 2-day clinic entitled ‘Dental Access Days’ will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Pwyckenham in South Bend.

Dental Access Days is hosted by The L.D. Pankey Foundation, Inc. and is dedicated to providing free oral health services to underserved people across the United States. The mission of each local clinic is to provide as many underserved people as possible with dental care over the course of the two days. Approximately 140 patients are scheduled to receive care at the South Bend facility with most patients receiving a mix of services, including cancer screenings, prophies, fillings, extractions, root canals, and crowns.

“It’s our way of helping people in need in our community,” says Dr. Deborah Fleming, a Pankey-trained dentist and faculty member who is the local host leading this effort. Dr. Fleming has recruited a committed team of local professionals to help in the effort including 12 dentists, 6 hygienists and 10 dental assistants.

Dr. Fleming said she realizes the free clinic is not going to solve the access to care problem, “but our efforts will certainly bring attention to the tremendous need for oral health care among many underserved Americans across the country,” she added.

The L.D. Pankey Foundation’s Dental Access Days is operated through a cooperative effort of individual Pankey-trained dental professionals and leading dental industry companies that provide support through monetary and in-kind product and services. Heraeus Kulzer, LLC, whose North American manufacturing plant is based in South Bend, is donating many of its flagship products to the effort including Venus®, Venus® Diamond, and iBond®. “Heraeus is honored to be part of Dental Access Days,” says Christopher Holden, President of Heraeus Kulzer, LLC. "We are truly inspired by the work of the L.D. Pankey Foundation and its passion and commitment to help people in need,” he adds.

For more information on Pankey Access Days visit www.pankey.org. For more information on Heraeus Kulzer call 800.431.1785 or visit www.heraeus-kulzer-us.com.

About the Pankey Institute
Founded in 1972, The Pankey Institute is a nonprofit organization in Key Biscayne, Florida that promotes optimal oral health care through advanced continuing education for dentists (www.pankey.org). It was the first institute of its kind and remains among the most prestigious, attracting dentists from 42 nations to its educational programs. It is estimated that nearly 20,000 dentists and specialists have attended its courses and now serve millions of patients worldwide.

About Heraeus
The Heraeus Kulzer Dental Division provides dentists, laboratories and patients with the ultimate in esthetic dental solutions. Heraeus Kulzer empowers dental professionals to provide patients with the most natural-looking restorations while respecting a healthy and conservative approach to clinical dentistry. For more information on Heraeus or its products, call 800.431.1785 or visit www.heraeus-kulzer-us.com.