Gergen’s Orthodontic lab partners to provide free appliances to qualified attendees at the Scottsdale Plaza resort on January 10, 2013
Today at 7:00pm at The Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253 a national campaign ‘Tackle Sleep Apnea’ will be hitting town. This free public event is being held to raise awareness of sleep apnea and snoring, by discussing the dangers associated with the deadly disorder. Former NFL superstars and speakers include Hall of Famer Lincoln Kennedy, All Pro, at one time the fastest man in the NFL, Roy Green, All Pro and legendary Seahawks Quarterback Dave Krieg, All Pro HB Ron Wolfley, All Pro and Super Bowl superstar Derek Kennard, and Mark Walczak of the Arizona Cardinals. Industry leader Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab, one of only a few labs in the country that is approved by Medicare for oral appliances along with Sleep Group Solutions, will be providing home sleep tests. Dr. Allan Bernstien and Dr. Rodger Briggs are hosting the Pro Player Health Alliance event, with an anticipated 300+ attendees.
Yesterday, Walczak and Green were on the local news in Arizona promoting the event and spoke about the importance of treating sleep apnea. The interview can be viewed here.
Statistically, over 60% of the NFL and former NFL are suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Who better to speak and share personal stories to the public?
“The Tackle Sleep Apnea campaign has created quite a buzz with the retired NFL guys. I am looking forward to lending a hand to this campaign to boost the awareness of the dangers of sleep apnea.” says Dave Krieg former NFL superstar and legendary Seahawks Quarterback.
The national campaign ‘Tackle Sleep Apnea’ has also created a buzz within in the NFL circle. Mark Walczak, Junior Seau’s best friend has insisted on coming to events to speak first-hand about his personal struggles with sleep apnea, and how the loss of Junior Seau has changed his focus. Mark Walczak has become an advocate for Oral Appliance Therapy and is spreading awareness of sleep apnea and the dangers of not seeking treatment. Mark has recently been treated with an oral appliance himself and is doing quite well. Dave Krieg has also met with dentist Roger Briggs to discuss his best therapy options.
The event is co-sponsored by Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab who will provide FREE oral appliances to qualified attendees. The goal of the event and national campaign is to generate as much awareness about sleep apnea and encourage attendees to get tested and diagnosed.
“I believe by spreading awareness we can save lives,” says David Gergen, President of PPHA and owner of Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab. Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab proudly announces that they are one of only two labs in the country that can fabricate the Herbst oral appliance for Medicare patients. The Medicare Pricing Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) contractor verifies each device for manufacturers and providers to ensure that the correct billing code is associated with each product. Based on the new PDAC rule, as of September 28, 2012 the list of PDAC approved appliances for billing code E0486 has been narrowed to the Herbst.
“We have gone above and beyond for this event and have been able to reach out and get organizations such as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The Phoenix Elks Club, and the Greater Phoenix Swing Dance Club to be a part of it,” says Gergen.
Roy Green, Derek Kennard, Truck Robinson, Ron Wolfley , Mark Walczak and David Krieg will be available after the event for autographs and pictures.
Event Specifics:
Date: January 10, 2013.
Time: 7:00pm (open to public and press)
Location: The Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253
Special Attendees: Truck Robinson, Roy Green, David Krieg, Ron Wolfley, Mark Walczak, Lincoln Kennedy, and Derek Kennard.
For more information about PPHA or the “Tackle Sleep Apnea” campaign, visit http://proplayersleep.org.
About Pro Player Health Alliance
The Pro Players Health Alliance (PPHA) is an organization dedicated to helping former NFL players, through providing testing and treatment options for those who suffer from sleep apnea. In addition, the PPHA is dedicated to integrating education and raising sleep apnea awareness, in a fun and memorable way. In addition to the campaign, the PPHA is dedicated to testing and getting people treated who suffer from sleep apnea. The PPHA was created by David Gergen, President of Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab, Rani Ben-David, President of Sleep Group Solutions, and Former NFL legends.
About David Gergen
David Gergen, CDT and President of Pro Player Health Alliance, has been a nationally respected dental lab technician for over 25 years. He received the award for “The Finest Orthodontic Technician in the Country” given by Columbus Dental in 1986. He also has been appointed chair of the dental wing of the Sleep and Breathing Academy a national interdisciplinary academy dedicated to sleep training and education with over 60,000 members. David rolled out of bed on September 12, 1981 and had his career “ah ha” moment. He knew he was going to be an orthodontic technician and he knew he was going to help people all over the country to help treat their sleep disorders in partnership with their dentists. He has worked for some of the pioneers in the orthodontic and sleep dentistry fields. He was the personal technician for the likes of Dr. Robert Ricketts, Dr. Ronald Roth, Dr. A. Paul Serrano, Dr. Clark Jones, Dr. Harold Gelb, Dr. Joseph R. Cohen, Dr. Rodney Willey, Dr. Allan Bernstein, and Dr. Thien Pham. One of his proudest achievements is receiving The National Leadership award for Arizona Small Businessman of the Year in 2004.
About Dr. Allan Bernstein
Allan K. Bernstein, D.D.S., focuses his practice exclusively on orofacial pain disorders (TMD), and obstructive sleep apnea/snoring. He has been in practice in the Phoenix Valley since 1978. Dr. Bernstein received his dental training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and completed his dental internship at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He continues to enhance and refine his clinical expertise through ongoing training and professional involvement in TMD, as well as the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with the use of oral appliances, an area he expanded his practice to include since 1986. Dr. Bernstein is board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain, the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and served as a member of the Academy’s Board of Directors.
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