- The Act of Random Kindness (ARK) Programme is available for eligible doctors in the Middle East market (including UAE and KSA)
- Through ARK, Align Technology will be waiving Invisalign fee for both eligible doctors and patients with oral health challenges, who need it most
- ARK will benefit patients with oral health challenges such as genetic syndromes, craniofacial disorders, cleft palates or health-related contraindications to fixed appliances, giving them access to a complimentary Invisalign treatment
Dubai, UAE: Align Technology, a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign system of clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, today announced that it has launched its ‘Act of Random Kindness’ (ARK) campaign in the Middle East: an impact-driven programme aimed at helping patients in the region. The news was announced following World Kindness Day, on 13th November, and will be open to Invisalign-trained doctors and patiens in The United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Through a ‘pay it forward’ model, Align Technology is offering support to Invisalign-trained doctors by waiving the lab fee for a full course of Invisalign treatment in order to enable them to deliver treatment free of charge to patients with difficult oral health or maxiofacial challenges.
Eligible patients are those with health issues such as genetic syndromes, craniofacial or clefts, or other health-related contraindications to fixed appliance treatments. Invisalign trained doctors in the Middle East are encouraged to submit cases of up to two eligible patients, in order for them to benefit from having their teeth straightened with Invisalign treatment.
Angelo Maura, General Manager, Middle East and Africa of Align Technology, said: “Dental health is often overlooked as an essential part of our overall health and well-being. While governments across the region work towards achieving their ambitious visions of the future, we believe we too have a duty to support these goals within the health sector, to work with dental professionals to serve patients better and create meaningful impact within the communities we serve.
“The objective of our social responsibility programme, ARK, is to provide more widespread access to better oral health to those who need it most. With that, we are very proud to be in a position to give our Invisalign doctors the opportunity to help their patients attain a healthier smile, free of charge. Together, with the expertise of our Invisalign doctors in the Middle East, we are committed to supporting a future where each and every person’s oral health is prioritised, not just on World Kindness Day, but every day.” Angelo continued.
Invisalign-trained doctors who are interested in putting forward a patient for Invisalign treatment are invited to fill out a form provided by their Align sales representative who will also be able to provide the full terms and conditions of participation.
The doctors whose submitted patient case is clinically approved will receive a coupon for the cost of the lab fee, to be used to offer a complementary Invisalign treatment to patients. Align Technology`s local clinical teams will evaluate the submissions for clinical applicability and confirm which cases are admitted to the program.
The ARK programme does not apply to patients who have already started treatment with the Invisalign system. The ARK programme applications must be submitted by the first of each calendar month and a decision will be given within thirty (30) days as to whether such application will be accepted. Each eligible doctor can have up to a maximum of two (2) eligible patients in the ARK programme per year.
About Align Technology, Inc.:
Align Technology designs, manufactures and offers the Invisalign system, the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, iTero intraoral scanners and services, and exocad CAD/CAM software. These technology building blocks enable enhanced digital orthodontic and restorative workflows to improve patient outcomes and practice efficiencies for over 210 thousand doctor customers and is key to accessing Align’s 500 million consumer market opportunity worldwide. Align has helped doctors treat over 11.6 million patients with the Invisalign system and is driving the evolution in digital dentistry through the Align Digital Platform, our integrated suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners.
About the Invisalign system:
Invisalign clear aligners are a removable and transparent teeth-straightening solution produced using digital and 3D technologies. This type of solution differs from other orthodontic devices in that they are more comfortable and can be easily removed for eating or drinking. Used to treat minor to complex types of malocclusions, Invisalign clear aligners are replaced every one or two weeks, depending on a doctor’s recommendation, gradually moving teeth towards the projected final position
