Virginia Beach, VA -- (SBWIRE) --05/17/2011 -- The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF) has once again taken a step in pediatric patient protection by helping parents demand a higher level of preparedness in dental offices. The "Pediatric Dental Care Checklist" is an acronym packed with pertinent questions and concerns when selecting a dental care professional team. The list, while simple, is powerful in its direct connect with the core requirements of pediatric patient emergency readiness and response. RMBF is honored to empower parents in protecting their children and is confident that the recently released checklist is essential to achieving this aim.

Nicole Cunha, Executive Director of RMBF and relative of Raven Blanco, made the following statement regarding the publishing of this and other checklists: "We are just beginning. Parents and children deserve the best in equipment and education and RMBF is dedicated to making sure this is available to all. Our efforts have been met with enthusiasm from the dental and patient populations. The checklists are a tool. Our questions will be asked and answers will be given. Patients will change the standards and expectations by simply stepping out and speaking up." RMBF is excited about the depth, practicality, and simplicity of the investigative tool, reminding parents of their right to know the care their children will receive. It is better to ask too many questions than to live with the one question of, "Why didn't I ask?" for a lifetime.

RMBF is a 501 (c) (3) charity driven to providing preventative instruction and advocacy based on medical emergency preparedness and has adopted The Six Links of Survival™, developed by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, as a convenient mechanism for dental offices to ensure that all areas of appropriate preparation are adequately covered. The comprehensive checklist can be viewed and downloaded through the organization's website. RMBF welcomes feedback and questions regarding the use, intent, and effectiveness of the tool and encourages caretakers to take pediatric sedation seriously. RMBF's site provides an in-depth understanding of the problems within the dental community and the partnerships and steps seeking to bring solutions.

For more information on the organization, its current campaigns, and the issue plaguing the pediatric population, as well as to download the checklist, please visit RMBFInc.org. RMBF extends a welcoming hand and the promise of protection moving forward. RMBF invites parents, patients, companies, dental professionals, health care providers, and all to join the momentum of medical emergency preparedness.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

RMBF’s “Pediatric Sedation Checklist” provides parents with the questions they need to ask a dentist before allowing their child to undergo a procedure that employs the use of sedation.

Virginia Beach, VA -- (SBWIRE) --05/12/2011 -- The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF) announces the recent release of its "Pediatric Sedation Checklist," which provides parents with essential questions to ask before allowing their child to undergo any procedure involving sedation. Parents must be intelligent and informed when selecting a dental team as evidenced by the growing number of pediatric deaths due to pediatric emergencies in dental settings. Routine care, especially when working with the pediatric population, is anything but routine. RMBF is arming parents with the questions necessary to make these critical decisions, making sure preparation and education are unavoidable aspects of treating these young lives with the greatest expertise and equipment available.

RMBF's Executive Director, Nicole Cunha comments, "We are excited about our checklists release because parents are now empowered to make the best decisions for their children. These are the questions to ask and the answers to demand. When parents start taking preparation seriously, the profession is sure to follow." The comprehensive checklist can be viewed and downloaded through the organization's website. RMBF welcomes feedback and questions regarding the use, intent, and effectiveness of the tool and encourages caretakers to take pediatric sedation seriously. RMBF's site provides an in-depth understanding of the problems within the dental community and the partnerships and steps seeking to bring solutions.

RMBF is a 501 (c) (3) charity driven to providing preventative instruction and advocacy based on medical emergency preparedness and has adopted The Six Links of Survival™, developed by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, as a convenient mechanism for dental offices to ensure that all areas of appropriate preparation are adequately covered.

For more information on the organization, its current campaigns, and the issue plaguing the pediatric population, as well as to download the checklist, please visit RMBFInc.org. RMBF extends a welcoming hand and the promise of protection moving forward. RMBF invites parents, patients, companies, dental professionals, health care providers, and all to join the momentum of medical emergency preparedness.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virginia Beach, VA -- (SBWIRE) --05/11/2011 -- The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF) celebrates the release of its "Pediatric Local Anesthesia Checklist," which clearly outlines the areas of concern and the questions to ask prior to selecting a dentist team for pediatric patients. The guidelines are an essential tool for parents and caregivers. The acronym is an investigatory measure of dental office readiness, policy, and proactivity. RMBF is proud to offer assistance in building greater awareness and accountability through preparation and education.

The checklist can be viewed and downloaded at the organization's website. RMBF welcomes feedback and questions regarding the use, intent, and effectiveness of the tool. Furthermore, the site provides a comprehensive understanding of the problems within the dental community and the partnerships and steps seeking to bring solutions.

RMBF is a 501 (c) (3) charity driven to providing preventative instruction and advocacy based on medical emergency preparedness and has adopted The Six Links of Survival™, developed by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, as a convenient mechanism for dental offices to ensure that all areas of appropriate preparation are adequately covered.

For more information on the organization, its current campaigns, and the issue plaguing the pediatric population, as well as to download the checklist, please visit RMBFInc.org. RMBF extends a welcoming hand and the promise of protection moving forward. RMBF invites parents, patients, companies, dental professionals, health care providers, and all to join the momentum of medical emergency preparedness.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Dental professionals from around the world gathered in Atlanta last week at the 99th Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting. The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation (RMBF) was among the attendees and was grateful to take this opportunity to donate an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to Christina’s Smile in honor of David Liddell, a 5 year-old Atlanta resident who passed away July 9th of 2010.

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/11/2011 -- Thousands of dental professionals from around the world gathered in Atlanta last week at the 99th Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting.

The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation (RMBF) was among the attendees and grateful to take this opportunity to donate an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to Christina's Smile in honor of David Liddell, a 5 year-old Atlanta resident who passed away July 9th of 2010. Danielle Brandon-Stewart, David's mother, was present for the awarding that occurred out front of the 48 foot trailer that Christina's Smile uses to travel the country, providing dental care to underserved children.

The short life of David Liddell was celebrated and memorialized as parents and professionals gathered. David is among 20 children who have passed away due to complications related to medical emergencies during their dental visit. In an effort of healing, Liddell's mother joined RMBF in the awarding of the AED to Christina's Smile, a non-profit mobile dental care facility that provides free care to nearly 2,500 children nationwide annually. Founder and President, Dr. Richard Garza stated, "We at Christina's Smile are pleased to be the recipients of an AED in honor of David Liddell."

The 99th Hinman Dental Meeting was a perfect platform for this event, with experts and professionals converging for three days of lectures, workshops, seminars, demonstrations, and over 160 opportunities for continuing education courses. During the event, ABC news producer Megan Chuchmach of Chief Executive Correspondent, Brian Ross's investigative team, flew in to Atlanta to film RMBF at their Hinman booth, interviewing Mario Blanco and Dr. Larry J. Sangrik, as well as capturing the AED Christina's Smile Donation.

Mario's role has transformed from grieving father to counselor and advocate as he travels the country, reaching out to other families and fighting for change. The spotlight affords RMBF an enormous advantage to ignite awareness. RMBF executive director, Nicole Cunha comments, "RMBF welcomes media attention and initiative. Our purpose is one of public concern and affect. The faster we get the word out, the more lives we save. We certainly want to channel that power."

Start a Heart, RMBF's AED partner and premier distributor of Defibtech AEDs, once again provided exceptional equipment for a first caliber cause. The Christina's Smile donation and Hinman audience was a unique pairing of patient advocacy and dental excellence on the road to future partnerships. RMBF applauded the Hinman Meeting and its members, looking forward to greater collaboration and innovation for pediatric patient care in the coming year.

The name, life, and spirit of David Liddell will continue to touch lives across the country, driving safety and service on the path to a better future for America's children.

RMBF is a 501 (c) (3) charity driven to providing preventative education based on medical emergency preparedness and has adopted The Six Links of Survival™, developed by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, as a convenient mechanism for dental offices to ensure that all areas of appropriate preparation are adequately covered.

Start a Heart is a distributor for Defibtech AEDs, a company that makes heart safety more affordable for businesses. The company's user-friendly AEDs were named one of 2010's hottest products in the Industrial Design Excellence competition, by the Industrial Design Society of America.

Christina's Smile Children's Dental Clinic is a program that delivers quality comprehensive charitable dental care to children in need. Dental services are delivered utilizing two different state-of the-art mobile dental clinics.

The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting is in its 99th term and is a convergence of top minds, experts, and educators worldwide. The annual meeting is a forum for propelling dental practice forward, building off of a historical devotion to detail.

For more information about RMBF's AED donation campaign, please visit http://www.rmbfinc.org. For Information on Start a Heart's programs and offering, visit http://www.startaheart.com. The Hinman meeting can be located at http://www.hinman.org and to share in and learn about Christina's Smile, go to http://www.csmile.com.

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The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF), Start a Heart, and the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness (IMEP) are donating an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Fennville High School in honor of Wes Leonard.

Virginia Beach, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/17/2011 -- On Thursday, March 3, 2011, 16 year-old Fennville High School student Wes Leonard died after scoring the game-winning layup, suffering a sudden cardiac arrest due to a previous enlarged heart condition. Leonard is the second Fennville athlete to die post competition in the past 14 months.

Nathan Hernandez, 14 year-old wrestler, was taken by a fatal seizure while in his home in January of 2010. The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF), Start a Heart, and the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness (IMEP) are donating an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Fennville High School in honor of Wes Leonard, a true culmination of cheers and tears.

The AED unit is being donated by RMBF and IMEP in joint awareness and reverence. The donated Defibitech Lifeline unit is paired with Stat PADS, LLC. AED oversight and use program. Additionally, Start a Heart is donating a Life OnBoard hard case for the unit, an AED rescue kit, and an extra adult electrode. The aim is to empower Fennville High School with the life-saving equipment necessary to navigate a medical emergency.

"We are with the Leonard family and Fennville community in heart and soul.

Medical Emergency Preparedness (MEP) cannot bring Wes back; but we can celebrate his incredible life by promising to ready our nation's schools for response," says Nicole Cunha, Executive Director of RMBF. Peter Metcalfe, President of Start a Heart, echoes this sentiment, stating:

"Sudden cardiac arrest occurs (SCA) without warning, and affects all ages and all levels of fitness. We are pleased to be a part of protecting kids, teachers and visitors' safety and well-being. Most of these victims died because a defibrillator was not quickly available.

According the American Heart Association, 50% to 70% of SCA victims would survive if treated with a defibrillator in the first 3 minutes.

Unfortunately, most lifesaving equipment is not accessible or does not arrive soon enough. As a result, typical survival rates are only between two and five percent."

The donation is intended to protect Fennville High students and community in the event of a future emergency. With the AED donation Fennville is now a HeartSafe High School.

About
RMBF is a 501 (c) (3) charity driven to providing preventative education based on medical emergency preparedness and has adopted The Six Links of Survival™, developed by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, as a convenient mechanism for dental offices to ensure that all areas of appropriate preparation are adequately covered.

Start a Heart is a distributor for Defibtech AEDs, a company that makes heart safety more affordable for businesses. The company's user-friendly AEDs were named one of 2010's hottest products in the Industrial Design Excellence competition, by the Industrial Design Society of America.

IMEP is a doctor-created organization that addresses the nation's need for increased MEP awareness and initiatives. IMEP serves healthcare professionals, providing the training and solutions that allow these first responders to act calmly, quickly, and confidently to emergency and crisis situations.

For more information about RMBF's AED donation campaign, please visit RMBFInc.org. For information on Start a Heart's programs and offering, visit Startaheart.com; and for insight into MEP solutions and practices, IMEP can be found at Emergencyactionguide.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virginia Beach, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/16/2011 -- Join the Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF) in the celebration of awareness and action on March 9th, Pediatric Patient Advocacy Day, as they honor the 20 young lives lost due to an unforeseen medical emergency. March 9th, the anniversary of Raven Blanco's death, will serve to ignite national attention as RMBF continues their unending commitment to protecting the lives of pediatric patients through medical emergency preparedness. RMBF's experience and efforts have proven that education and advocation are groundbreaking methods for bringing healing and generating change. Executive Director, Nicole Cunha comments, "We are inspired daily by the works, stories, and triumphs of people and organizations working for this aim." Join in spreading the word about the inaugural Pediatric Patient Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 9th, 2011.

Pediatric Patient Advocacy Day, spotlights the need for greater protection and prevention measures, as well as education-driven initiatives at local, state, and national levels.

On behalf of all pediatric patients, RMBF appreciates support in speaking up and reaching out for a safer future for the nation's children. Volunteer and advocate opportunities are available through the RMBF website.

RMBF is a 501 charity driven to providing preventative education based on medical emergency preparedness and has adopted The Six Links of SurvivalTM, developed by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, as a convenient mechanism for dental offices to ensure that all areas of appropriate preparation are adequately covered. The Six Links of SurvivalTM are as follows: doctor training, staff training, mock drills, medical emergency manual creation, proper equipment maintenance, and necessary medication accessibility.

For more information on RMBF's works as well as ways to join the momentum, visit their website at http://www.rmbfinc.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Joint Effort Brings the Six Links of Survival Course to Dental Healthcare Providers in order to Prevent Pediatric Dental Deaths

Virginia Beach, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2010 -- The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. (RMBF) is very proud to announce our affiliation with Dr. Larry J. Sangrik, nationally-known lecturer on medical emergencies within the dental profession and the online dental education website, DentalEDU.TV. Dr. Sangrik will be known as the National Director of Medical Emergency Preparedness with the RMBF. Dr. Sangrik has taken the concept of The Six Links of Survival (created by the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness) and developed a lecture series devoted to preparing the entire dental team for medical emergencies. Dr. Sangrik offers an in-person lecture on this topic, as well as an advanced, high-definition video lecture series seen through DentalEDU.TV. His goal within the dental community is to reduce the number of adverse events in dental offices through proper education and continual principles reinforcement. Dr. Sangrik has lectured to over 7,500 dental professionals on this topic and he says, "It is a privilege to work with RMBF in helping the dental profession become more aware of the need to be prepared for a medical emergency during the course of dental treatment. While dental office deaths are the 'headline news' item, we know these events represent only the tip of the iceberg of medical emergencies. Our goal is not to alarm patients into avoiding needed dental care. Instead, we seek to prepare dentists to meet any challenge they may encounter."

Since 1996, there have been 19 pediatric deaths related to complications due to dental procedures. This number accounts only for reported pediatric deaths.

Shockingly, of the 19 deaths occurring within the 14 year period, FOUR have been within the last FOUR months. Yes, 21% of the deaths have occurred since April - add in Maddoux Cordova, the 22-month old Texas boy who died in December, and 1/3 of the deaths have happened within less than a year! What once may have been viewed as a rarity has clearly become an epidemic. Nicole Cunha, Raven Blanco's cousin and Executive Director of RMBF states, "The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation is elated to have Dr. Sangrik join our team as the National Director of Medical Emergency Preparedness. We are also excited to be part of bringing the Six Links of Survival course to the online dental community. We can turn tragedies into remedies through proper education and necessary equipment. These children are not just statistics. Their lives will empower the protection of pediatric dental patients nationwide by insuring that dentists and their support staff are Six Links compliant. We must move quickly."

DentalEDU.TV will serve as the medium where The Six Links of Survival course will be available. This informative high-definition course is dedicated to preparing dental offices for medical emergencies by delivering vital material that will be benefit for the entire dental team. This state of the art technology can only be found on one dental website - DentalEDU.TV. Furthermore, any state dental association or local dental society that has a website can also place this course directly on their site so members and staff can also receive the full potential of this course. Dr. Engle states, "DentalEDU.TV is proud to have been selected by RMBF and Dr. Sangrik to host this program to the Dental community. Using our educational platform, Healthcare providers will be able to complete this valuable Emergency training course in the comforts of their homes and at their leisure."

About RMBF
The mission of RMBF is to increase awareness and enhance handling of medical emergency preparedness in dental offices across the United States in order to prevent pediatric dental deaths. RMBF aims to accomplish this by working through various dental channels including state dental associations, local dental associations and societies, and dental vendors.

This initiative has proven more challenging than raising funds given the resistance to change and the lack of regulatory support in this area.

The tragedy fallen on these 19 children could happen to any child, at any time, at any dental office in the nation. Adults are not immune to this either. A life-threatening medical emergency could happen at any time. Certainly, dentists and their staff want to be adequately prepared in the case of such an event. In those potential life-saving moments, will the proper education and equipment be available? Will their team have the necessary training to act quickly and confidently? Where can patients place their trust? Every patient and every dentist deserves the best when confronted with a medical emergency. Achieving this means keeping up with courses like the Six Links and others on a regular basis. Only in this way can we rest assure in readiness. We cannot nor will we ever say that we can predict the outcome of an adverse event; but we can promise preparedness if dentists actively participate with the Six Links. For more information please visit http://www.rmbfinc.org

About Dr. Larry Sangrik
Larry J. Sangrik, D.D.S. graduated from Ohio State University where he received his bachelor's degree in biochemistry. He completed his dental degree at the Ohio State College of Dentistry in 1979. Subsequently, he completed the intravenous sedation program at Miami Valley Hospital of Dayton, Ohio and the comprehensive externship at Midwest Implant Institute.

Active in organized dentistry, Dr. Sangrik has long held numerous positions at both local and state levels. He currently serves as a state delegate to the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) and as a member of the ODA's Committee on Education and Licensure. He has also served as a consultant to the Ohio State Dental Board on a task force concerning the use of oral sedation.

Dr. Sangrik is a well-known dental CE lecturer in the areas of medical emergencies, dental fear, vital signs/patient monitoring, and nitrous oxide/oral sedation. He has been a featured speaker at the American Dental Association Annual Session, the Hinman Dental Meeting of Atlanta, the Yankee Dental Congress, the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention, and at the dental schools of the University of Mississippi, Creighton University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, he had addressed many state and regional dental conventions. He has written for Dentistry Today and has consistently been named as one of America's Leaders in Dental Continuing Education.

Dr. Sangrik maintains a full-time general practice in his hometown of Chardon, Ohio with an emphasis on the treatment of apprehensive patients with IV sedation. For more information, please visit http://www.chardondentist.com

About DentalEDU.TV
DentalEDU.TV provides dental professionals with a high definition interactive service that enables their users to view training videos/ courses while earning valuable continuing education credits. Created by dental professionals for dental professionals, the website offers the highest quality educational content available in the dental industry.

http://www.DentalEDU.TV site offers both live and pre-recorded CE video programs covering a wide range of topics in all dental disciplines, including general dentistry, endodontic procedures, periodontal medicine, guided implant surgery, hard and soft tissue grafting, CAD/CAM, and more. DentalEDU.TV has one of the largest libraries of full length HD Dental video courses. New programs are frequently added. Dental professionals can log on anytime, browse the entire video library, select courses, view in full-screen, high-definition video, and earn required CE credits.

DentalEDU.TV is an approved ADA CERP, AGD PACE, Board of Florida, and Board of California content provider. With the successful completion of a course, the user can print their Certificate of Completion.

For more information, please visit http://www.dentaledu.tv or call 239-593-217

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