In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, GC Europe has extended its support to the affected communities. Makoto Nakao, chairman of GC International, Makiko Nakao, president of Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health and Josef Richter, COO and president of GC Europe, undertook a visit to Turkey, reaffirming the company's unwavering commitment to stand by those in times of crisis and to fulfil its corporate social responsibilities.
On July 3, 2023, a product donation voucher of €100,000 was delivered to Tarik Ismen, president of the Turkish Dentistry Association, who expressed his deep appreciation towards GC’s aid initiatives.
The Turkish Dental Trade and Businessmen Association (DİŞSIAD), which represents 250 dental companies in Turkey, was also visited for a report on the donations. On this occasion, Erkan Ucar, chairman of DİŞSIAD, thanked GC as the first dental manufacturer to donate and presented a Letter of Appreciation.
On July 7, Selen Hazne, country manager of GC Turkey, visited the province of Hatay, which was most affected by the earthquake. Prefabricated clinics were built for dentists whose clinics were destroyed, and those that could were being repaired. The first sample donation package was presented to the chairman of the Hatay Dental Chamber, Nebil Seyfettin.
Selen said, “I could feel the energy of the people, determined to recover from this natural disaster.
“We aim to help the dentists here where we can, so they can regain stability and resume their daily lives as much as possible.”
The shipments of the donations were planned to be completed on July 20 with individual packages for the designated clinicians.