Dr. Lynn A. Jones has been actively supporting “Give Back A Smile.” This is a program setup by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation that helps survivors of domestic violence regain their life and restore their broken teeth. Bruises and scars will fade, but broken or missing teeth will not.
Dr. Jones has been pioneering this program and is one of its leading supporters.
October 4, 2007 Bellevue, Washington – Help heal the effects of domestic violence by participating in the whitening program hosted by local dentist Dr. Lynn Jones. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month Dr. Lynn Jones will perform whitening treatments for a direct donation to Give Back A Smile (GBAS), a program designed to help survivors of domestic violence.
Radio Interview with Dr. Jones
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The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Charitable Foundation’s primary program, GBAS, provides cosmetic dental care to survivors of domestic violence who have suffered damage to, or lost, their smiles at the hands of someone they loved. With the support of Discus Dental and Ultradent Products, Inc. AACD member volunteers provide whitening treatments to patients in support of GBAS.
“The GBAS whitening program is a collaborative way for dentists and patients to make a difference in the lives of survivors of domestic violence. It is a win, win, win situation for everyone involved,” commented Dr. Jones.
How the GBAS Whitening Program Works
About Give Back A Smile
The GBAS program was launched May 27, 1999. Since then, more than 6,000 AACD volunteer dentists, dental laboratories and other dental professionals have volunteered their time and expertise pro bono for the GBAS program. Since its inception, over 550 domestic abuse cases have been completed for a total dollar value of over $4.3 million. Currently, 300 applicants are being treated throughout the United States.
Domestic violence survivors who have suffered dental injuries from abuse from a former intimate partner or spouse can learn more about GBAS online at: www.givebackasmile.com or 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. Donations for the GBAS program can be made to the AACD Charitable Foundation, 5401 World Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718-3900.
Dr. Lynn Jones is a GBAS volunteer and whitening program provider in the Washington area.
Since its founding in 1984, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) has been dedicated to advancing excellence in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry and encouraging the highest standards of ethical conduct and responsible patient care among cosmetic dentists. The AACD and its more than 7,600 members focus on creating beautiful smiles through services like teeth whitening, lifelike porcelain veneers, and natural-colored restorations, as well as providing trends, statistics and information to the public. The AACD Charitable Foundation’s primary program, Give Back A Smile is dedicated to providing cosmetic dental care at no cost to survivors of domestic violence. Give Back A Smile raises awareness of domestic violence and gives survivors of domestic violence hope for a better tomorrow truly something to smile about.
This year, the official Emmy pre-party put on for the enjoyment for celebrities was held on the Penthouse Floor of the Beverly Hills Wilshire Hotel made famous from the movie Pretty Woman. The Awards Show Pre-Party has become almost as famous as the ceremony itself, held every year at a different location, celebrities come in their day clothes and they come prepared to be pampered by some of the Worlds Wealthiest companies. This year only Less than 20 companies were invited to attend, including General Motors, Perry Ellis, Heineken, Joico, Dove; and each corporate sponsor comes ready to gift the celebrities with more than a thousand dollars worth of product and services each.
But this year, also invited to be a sponsor was local Bellevue dentist Lynn Jones on behalf of her eastside dental practice as well as representing the national non-profit organization Give Back a Smile which is made possible by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry to which Lynn is the 2007-2008 Chair of the Board of Trustees. In an effort to bring more attention to Give Back a Smile which has been seen on Oprah, CNN, and Dateline; our city’s very own Dr. Lynn Jones teamed up with the famous TV personality dentist Bill Dorfman from ABC’s Extreme Makeover. In the make shift dental operatory which looked like something more from a scene in I LOVE LUCY; waiters and waitresses carrying bottles of Heineken and designer entrées silently catered to the celebrities who sat back in the dentist chair, and had a pretty hysterical time with Dr. Lynn Jones and Dr. Dorfman. As the primary program for the AACDCF, Give Back a Smile shines through as the pride and joy of the AACD’s philanthropic efforts. Since the inception of GBAS more than 500 survivors have moved from devastation to rejuvenation with the aid of AACD dentists. This year the AACDCF volunteer dentists with the support of the labs completed 112 cases in 33 states totaling 1,072878.00! With national coverage, support from the AACD and generosity of volunteer members, GBAS is sure to continue on this wonder path of restoring the smiles and lives of domestic violence victims by restoring their smiles. All of the celebrities who had dental models made for their whitening appliances agreed to allow GBAS to auction of their models to support the organization at its annual fundraiser in New Orleans this year.
Dr. Lynn Jones first felt her calling to become a dentist in 1968, the year she graduated from high school, and coincidentally in a time when the guidance counselors at her high school (as well as the men of the dental industry) advised her that women did not go to dental school, because it was a career too demanding for women who needed time to raise children. Instead she was advised to become a dental hygienist. When she graduated from the University of Washington hygiene school in 1972 with a BS degree in dental hygiene, to her disappointment the equal rights amendment for women had not passed, however something significant for women did Title IX. Title IX basically said that if a school program accepts federal money, it must give equal opportunities to women. Out of the 100 students that were accepted that year, only 18 were women, including Lynn Jones. At a time when the school had not yet made proper adjustments; they shared a locker room with the male classmates, the female restroom was in the patient waiting area, many instructors refused to speak to them, as well as male students who constantly told them they did not belong there. As a result the women in Lynn’s class banded together and became very close. They all felt a great responsibility to future woman students to do well for fear that privilege would be taken away from them. Amazingly, all of the women graduated in the top half of their class. Since then, Lynn formed the summit AACD affiliate chapter of cosmetic dentistry where they combine high-quality lectures with hands-on experience and patient treatment for comprehensive care. She also teaches microscope hands-on courses for dental meetings and for the Newport Coast Oral Facial Institute.
Today, Dr. Jones’ patients are given a red carpet treatment of their own, at her practice located in Downtown Bellevue in the Hyatt Building of the Bellevue Collection. “The amenities at our dentist are great, but its her kind heart that have kept us loving her all these years. She really is living proof that if you want to believe in something, all you need to do is believe in yourself first. Hey not to mention Dr Jones and I love chatting about Yoga together!” patient Mary Bridgeforth says with a laugh. “She’s so cool ya know.”
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