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October 6, 2009 Chicago, IL – Local American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD) member cosmetic dentist, Dr. Mladen Kralj is a volunteer for the AACD Charitable Foundation’s Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program. The program helps heal the effects of domestic violence by providing free consultation and dental treatment to restore the smiles – and the lives - of survivors of domestic violence.

“Through the Give Back A Smile program, AACD members like myself assist survivors by treating their dental injuries that were sustained from domestic violence, so that they may reclaim their smiles, their self-esteem and, ultimately, their lives,” said Dr. Mladen Kralj of Chicago, Illinois. “Every day I see the remarkable difference a healthy, beautiful smile makes in a person’s life, and helping those who are truly in need is the ultimate professional reward.”

Finding Help through GBAS

• Domestic violence survivors who have suffered dental injuries from abuse from a former intimate partner or spouse can contact GBAS toll-free at: (800) 773-GBAS (4227).
• Survivors must make an appointment with a counselor, domestic violence advocate, social worker or therapist to complete the advocate section of the GBAS application.
• GBAS conducts the initial review of the application however the dentist has the final say as to the eligibility of the applicant.
• If eligible, the AACD connects the survivor with a local GBAS volunteer who provides treatment at no charge to the recipient.

Helping the Community by Helping Individuals

“Because more than five million people are affected by domestic violence every year in the United States, there is clearly a need for a program like Give Back A Smile to help survivors rejuvenate their lives through the caring hands of a local dentist,” Dr. Mladen Kralj said.

In July 2001, the AACD was one of only eight organizations in the world to receive the Award of Excellence and the prestigious Associations Advance America Summit Award for its GBAS program. The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), of Washington, D.C, sponsors this yearly national competition to recognize the charitable organizations that make the most effort to advance American society. To date, Give Back A Smile has restored the smiles of more than 600 domestic violence survivors for a total dollar value of over $5 million.

For complete details about the Give Back A Smile program, visit www.givebackasmile.com or call toll-free: (800) 543-9220. Those interested in finding help with the Give Back A Smile program can also visit the Web site, call the National Hotline: (800) 773-GBAS (4227), or send an e-mail to givebackasmile@aacd.com.

 

About Dr. Mladen Kralj

As one of Chicago’s leading cosmetic dentists, Dr. Kralj is known for his ‘Natural Smile Design’ philosophy - a unique combination of minimally invasive techniques, incorporation of facial aesthetics, and use of advanced technology to achieve seamless, natural looking smile makeovers. Dr. Kralj is the lead developer of ORA Dental Studio concept, the nation’s first ‘green’ group dental practice promoting ‘eco-friendly dentistry.’

As a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Dr. Kralj received his post-graduate training in advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry at the prestigious Pacific Aesthetic Continuum (PAC-live) in San Francisco. He is a past clinical instructor for restorative and cosmetic dentistry at the Heartland Institute, and an Invisalign Premier Provider Elite, ranking in the top 1% of all Invisalign providers in all of North America in terms of experience.

Dr. Kralj was appointed to New Beauty magazine’s editorial advisory board and is a long standing member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
and Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE). He is also a contributing dentist for the “Give Back a Smile” program through the AACD which provides free cosmetic dental care to victims of domestic abuse.

For more information about Dr. Kralj and ORA Dental Studio please visit www.oradentalstudio.com.