Our Mission – a cavity free world for children

Henry Schein sponsors 12th Annual Senior Dental Leaders programme at King’s College, London

Conference Forges Global Network of Senior Oral Health Leaders to Advance the Mission of a Cavity-Free World for Children

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) has sponsored for a 12th year the Senior Dental Leaders Programme, reflecting the Company’s enduring commitment to expand access to health care and to develop high-level capabilities in oral health leaders from around the world. The six-day conference, which took place last week at The Royal Horseguards Hotel in London, included representatives from nine countries who benefitted from leadership development training they can use to address the oral health challenges in their community.

First conceptualized in 2007 at King’s College London by Professor Raman Bedi, DDS, the Programme is organized by the Global Child Dental Fund, the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and this year’s host, the King’s College London Dental Institute. Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility program, has supported the event—together with co-sponsor Colgate-Palmolive—since its inception.

The Programme is attended by a diverse cohort from within the international dental community working collaboratively toward a cavity-free world for children, including dental policymakers, national Chief Dental Officers, representatives from non-governmental organizations, members of the clinical and academic communities, and other stakeholders. Henry Schein sponsored 11 attending delegates representing Australia, Brazil, China, Morocco, Portugal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, and the U.S.

During this week’s conference, participants exchanged knowledge and research, shared best practices, and examined case studies of strategies to meet oral health challenges. They also gained greater insight into effective team leadership and change management, scenario planning and public health innovation, and the potential impact system change can have in transforming oral health for people in need.

Speakers included Dr. Bruce Donoff, Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Professor Mike Curtis, Executive Dean, King’s College London Dental Institute, Dental Clinical Academic Group, King’s Health Partners; Dr. Marsha Butler, Vice President of Oral Health and Professional Relations, Colgate-Palmolive; and Dr. Hyewon Lee, Director of Systems and Capacity Strengthening, Global Child Dental Fund.

“Every sector of the dental community has a role to play if we are to overcome the oral health challenges facing our world, but we will only truly ‘help health happen’ if we leverage our collective strengths toward a common goal,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. “The Senior Dental Leaders Programme exists to foster the dialogue, debate, and determination that will lead to improved oral health, and by extension overall health, of our children in impactful and sustainable ways.”