SuStainability - 2012 - Straumann

operational reviewSustainability 71’We focus on areas where we can makea meaningful difference.‘Outreaching with the Suyana Foundation for basic dental treatmentsand oral hygiene education in Bolivia and Peru.In 2011, the first sponsored student at the ‘Hope for All’ dental clinic(on the right) graduated from the university dental school with distinction.The program relies on dentists from the ITI network toprovide the corresponding treatment without chargingfor their clinical services. This collaboration ensures that ahigh standard of treatment reaches people who are genuinelyin need.A LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TOECTODERMAL DYSPLASIA PATIENTSStraumann has a long-standing commitment to supportingthe National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia(NFED), a non-profit organization based in Illinois, USA,that helps patients and their families around the world.Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) denotes a group of genetic disorderscharacterized by abnormal development of theskin and associated structures. In addition, sufferers typicallyare missing or have severely malformed teeth frominfancy. Several thousand individuals around the worldare affected by ED, but very few are covered by insurance.In addition to providing free implants and prosthetics toED patients, we provide financial support to the NFED.Our overall sponsorship for ED in 2011 amounted to approximatelyCHF 26 000.SUPPORTING BASIC DENTAL CARE TO SAVE TEETHWe also sustained our sponsorship of charitable missionsand activities that provide basic dental care and educationto thousands of underprivileged people, most of whom arechildren in developing countries. In many cases there areno dental facilities at all, making it necessary to set up provisionalclinics with portable equipment, for example inschool classrooms.We strive for sustainability in all our charitable projects.A good example is the ‘Hope for All’ dental clinic in Cambodia,which we have supported since 2008. In addition tofinancial support for dental equipment and construction,we have provided educational grants for dental studentswho have no other financial means. In 2011, the first of oursponsored students graduated from the university dentalschool with distinction. The outcome of this initiativeprompted us to extend our sponsorship to three additionalstudents in 2012.Education in basic oral hygiene plays an important partand is one of the most valuable gifts. Most of the projectsand organizations sponsored have received support in