Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN) has announced that over 10.2 million patients have begun treatment with the Invisalign system – the most advanced clear aligner system in the world – including 2.6 million teenage patients*. This is a significant milestone for the company and the Invisalign-trained orthodontists and dentists worldwide who trust Invisalign clear aligners to treat adults, teens, and patients as young as 6 years old. In addition to this key milestone, the company has also announced that it has reached 2 million patients in the EMEA region**.
Commenting on the 10 millionth Invisalign patient milestone, Joe Hogan, Align Technology CEO, said, “It’s remarkable to think about the pace of growth and adoption that we are experiencing worldwide, especially when considering it took 10 years to achieve our one millionth Invisalign patient milestone and now we are adding one million new Invisalign patients in less than six months. We are grateful to our doctor partners and their patients, and to our 20,000 employees around the world who have helped us reach this milestone. In recognition of our 10 millionth Invisalign milestone, we have donated $10 million to the Align Foundation donor-advised fund to support organizations whose visions tie closely to our own: transforming smiles and changing lives, supporting and educating teens, and empowering our doctor customers through partnerships with learning institutions and foundations. We are also kicking off a campaign called “10 Million Smiles. 10 Million Thanks” centered around the transformative power of Invisalign treatment through the eyes of Invisalign patients. This is our way to say thank you and inspire others to share their smiles with the world using #10MInvisalignSmiles.”
The global milestone follows the company’s achievement in the EMEA region, where it has reached 2 million patients**, who have been treated with the Invisalign system. EMEA is a focus region for the company, with Align Technology recently announcing plans to open a new manufacturing facility in 2022 – its first in the region – to supply as many as 150 million consumers who could benefit from straightened teeth and transformed smiles. The facility in Poland will add a further 2,500 jobs to Align by the end of 2025 to complement its investment in EMEA that, over the past 20 years, has seen the firm expand its presence with new offices and local support structures.
Markus Sebastian, Align Technology senior vice president and managing director, EMEA, said, “I am incredibly proud to have recorded our 2 millionth patient in EMEA as we continue our strong growth regionally. Despite the many challenges associated with the pandemic, we have focused our efforts on ongoing support to practitioners, including our plans for a new manufacturing facility, the first in this region. Our priority has been and will continue to be supporting our doctors, through initiatives like our Invisalign Virtual Care tool, which enables remote communication between Invisalign doctors and their patients to track progress and reduce interruption to treatment. We are excited to continue this journey together with our Invisalign providers to bring our innovative solutions to as many people as possible across the region.”
In addition to the $10 million contribution to the Align Foundation, Align is partnering with Brazilian NGO Por 1 Sorriso (“For 1 Smile”) to help create even more smiles by sponsoring their mission of better health and well-being through access to dental and medical care in underprivileged communities. As part of the sponsorship, Por 1 Sorriso will develop doctor-engaged events over the course of a year starting with an event on May 29 in São Paulo, with dental and medical assistance to homeless residents and the local community of São Paulo city.
To join in the global celebration, tag yourself using #10MInvisalignSmiles on social media and share a smile selfie, story or video with the world.
* Data on file at Align Technology, Q1, 2021.
**The 2 million patient EMEA milestone was achieved in Q4 2020.
The Align Foundation
Launched in 2020, the Align Foundation provides a structured means by which significant donations are directed from a donor-advised fund overseen by Fidelity Charitable, with the flexibility to provide smaller monetary donations, processes to donate our products, as well as an organized way to involve our employees in giving activities. In March 2020, we funded $1 million to support COVID-19 relief efforts globally and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks and worked with partners to source supplies for additional PPE to help hospitals and healthcare providers. To date, Align has contributed over $4.6 million to charitable causes including Operation Smile, America’s Toothfairy, and other non-profits dedicated to youth development through schools and educational programs. Over the last two years, our employees have volunteered over 10,000 hours as part of our dedicated month of giving in October called Month of Smiles.
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