Great Expressions Launches Friendly Faces to Support Bullying Prevention

(Aug. 1, 2017) – According to the Stop Bullying Now Foundation, 3.6 million children do not go to school each month because of the fear of being bullied. Research shows that smiling is one of the easiest ways to be a friend and eliminate conflict, and this back-to-school season, Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) is introducing its Friendly Faces program – an initiative highlighting the power of a smile.

“Heading back to school can cause many students anxiety,” said Greg Nodland, President of Great Expressions Dental Centers. “More than half of bullying situtations stop when a peer intervenes. Our goal is to educate the community on how they can be a buddy, not a bully, this back-to-school season with a simple smile.”

In addition to smiling, GEDC offers the following tips to help minimize bullying:

• Get crafty. Spend some time with your child before school begins and create a craft that they can hand out to their classmates to make everyone feel included. GEDC recommends adding beads to a safety pin as a “friendship charm” – a perfect addition to a backpack or pencil case.
• Stand up to bullies. Educate your child on how to stand up to bullies. Most bullies feel foolish after being confronted. Also encourage your child to reach out to a teacher or trusted adult to report the behavior.
• Treat others the way you want to be treated. Take time to talk with your child on how to respect their peers and use their smile to comfort others and make friends.

To combat bullying during a time when it is most prevelant – when kids are in school – GEDC is inviting the community to take a stand against bullying by sharing its pledge on Facebook. From August 1 through September 29, GEDC will donate $1 for every pledge, or share, to the Stop Bullying Now Foundation.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 888-SMILE-80 or visit greatexpressions.com.

About Great Expressions Dental Centers

For nearly 40 years, Great Expressions Dental Centers has been a leader in preventative dental care, orthodontics and specialty care with offices in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Great Expressions is consistently recognized for contributions to improving oral health through quality and safety initiatives, affordable dental care services, patient convenience, research and more. Great Expressions Dental Centers branded practices are independently-owned and operated in specific states by licensed dentists and their professional entities who employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. ADG, LLC provides administrative and business support services and licenses the Great Expressions Dental Centers brand name to independently-owned and operated dental practices. ADG does not own or operate dental practices, or employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. For more information, please visit www.greatexpressions.com.

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Contact:
Megan McCarl, on behalf of Great Expressions Dental Centers
Lambert, Edwards & Associates