In Italy, 40 patients and families have already been able to benefit from these complimentary dental treatments with clear aligners since 2021. Among dental issues that often hinder orthodontic treatments, especially in children, are genetic syndromes, craniofacial disorders, cleft palate or health contraindications to being treated with fixed braces.
Dr. Mercedes Revenaz, DMD specialized orthodontist and expert in digital treatment for children and teenagers, who participated in the program in Italy, provided detailed testimonial, reflecting on treating patients as part of the ARK program. Designed by Align Technology, the program is active in more than 20 countries worldwide aiming to provide better oral health to those patients who cannot afford the treatment themselves.
On the occasion of World Oral Health Day (March 20, 2024), Align Technology launched the 2024 edition of its social responsibility project: Act of Random Kindness (ARK).
The annual program aims to provide access to orthodontic care for patients with severe oral cavity problems, disabilities, and health contraindications to traditional fixed appliances (braces).
In Italy alone, a total of 40 patients – who would not have had access to orthodontic care otherwise – have benefitted from the attention and expertise of doctors who have joined the ARK program since 2021.
Thanks to the ARK project, Align Technology – a global medical device company – is dedicated to provide a response to the needs of several individuals by collaborating with highly qualified dentists and orthodontists, including university professors.
The ARK project
ARK is a non-profit program created by Align, which provides orthodontic treatment free of charge to patients with special needs; a patient population for whom traditional braces can be more challenging. The program allows doctors that are experienced with clear aligner therapy to reduce treatment costs charged on more vulnerable patients.
Eligible patients include those with health issues such as genetic syndromes, craniofacial disorders or cleft palate, as well as those experiencing contraindications to treatments based on traditional fixed appliances.
Launched in 2015 in Italy, the initiative has expanded in recent years to include more European countries, the Americas, and the Middle East. As of today, the program exists in more than 20 countries worldwide, ranging from Bulgaria and the United Kingdom to Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Mercedes Revenaz’s ARK story
Mercedes Revenaz, Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, and an orthodontics postgraduate, has been part of the ARK program in Italy since 2018. She recently explained why the program makes a true difference for patients with special needs:
Medical preconditions
“Often, these are complex clinical cases for which it is difficult to use traditional tools, such as dental impressions, and it is not advisable to adopt fixed appliances due to potential complications. This is where digital technologies can be very helpful. We are aware that for some parents of children and adolescents with disabilities, chronic neurological diseases, or neuropsychiatric disorders, orthodontic treatment may be deprioritized. This is not because it is less important for their child’s health, but because we are referring to families who often move from one specialist to another, from a neurologist to a psychiatrist, from a speech therapist to a neuropsychiatrist or a physical therapist, which is a significant burden for both parents and young patients. Hence, it is important to facilitate the process for them and remove some of the obstacles as much as possible”, states Dr. Revenaz.
The clinical cases
“Among the children I have worked with over the years, I can recall a case of a young patient starting treatment at age ten. Unfortunately, during early childhood, due to an ependymoma, he had undergone multiple surgeries, losing sensitivity in half of his body, including facial muscles, affecting motor asymmetry and resulting in the inability to fully open his mouth. His very delicate condition not only compromised chewing, but also resulted in a severely altered occlusion, likely to worsen over time. Indeed, my approach based on dental arch intraoral scanning and the use of clear aligners allowed me to perform a less invasive clinical procedure, while reducing overall chair time. As a matter of fact, treatment time is an aspect that should not be underestimated, especially when it comes to patients who often cannot tolerate lengthy sessions of one or more hours as would be required with a traditional treatment. It is undoubtedly a professional and social commitment. It is an opportunity I felt I had to seize and would continue to pursue”.
Fausto Grossi, Senior General Manager of Align’s Italian affiliate, says, “ARK is a project that has demonstrated its positive impact, providing free orthodontic care to patients with special needs. Thanks to the collaboration of doctors, the lives of many young patients have been transformed. We strongly believe in this program and we hope that more doctors can be involved to get more children treated in Italy and around the world.”
Managing orthodontic treatment in cases like the one described by Dr. Revenaz can be particularly complex, but thanks to initiatives like the ARK project, it is possible to overcome the economic, healthcare, and social barriers that may otherwise exclude children, adolescents and their families who need such care. The true value of the ARK initiative is the positive impact on patients and their families.
“ARK is a non-profit program
created by Align, providing
orthodontic treatment free of
charge to patients.”