United Concordia and Partners Construct Basketball Court; Provide Free Dental and Eye Exams

United Concordia joined forces with Davis Vision, a national managed vision care company, and local EyeMasters May 5-6, 2009, to construct a basketball court for nearly 400 students of the Esperanza Charter School in New Orleans, as part of the city's rebuilding efforts. Free vision and dental screenings also were offered to the students.

Eight volunteers from United Concordia and Davis Vision traveled from New York and Pennsylvania to build the court. By the end of the second day, the court bustled with students eager to use the school's new facility. Following the completion of the basketball court, eye care professionals from local EyeMasters stores joined dental professionals and students from the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Dentistry to offer free screenings at the school. The dental students were supervised by Dr. Robert Barsley, Dr. Gerald Evans and Dr. Jacquelyn Daboue.

The vision screenings were brought to the community through Davis Vision's Focus on America outreach program. The dental screenings are part of United Concordia Dental's commitment to provide free preventive services to those in the community who cannot afford dental care. More than 300 patients received dental exams and oral hygiene instruction at a value of nearly $10,000.

The children received information about follow-up dental appointments at LSU Dental School's New Orleans campus clinic. The clinic is less than two miles from the charter school. Of the 389 children screened, 162 required follow-up vision care and received vouchers for a free comprehensive examination and prescription eyeglasses from any local EyeMasters store.