If you want to get Invisalign aligner treatment go to an orthodontist in North Carolina—you my get a gun with your new grin.
According to WFAB 9, “Grins and Glocks” by Dr. Jason Gladwell of Gladwell Orthodontics is causing controversy. He is offering potential customers a free Glock 19 handgun for those who get Invisalign treatment in his office. They can also receive a paid membership at Youngsville Gun Club & Range located in Youngsville.
“Anytime you talk about firearms, it can be a polarizing subject,” Gladwell said. “Instead of them paying for it, I’m paying for it.”
According to the outlet, local residents are not really feeling the combination promotion and question the decision of the dentist to partner with the gun club.
“It’s mind-blowing to me that an organization that I think of as trying to provide health care to the
people in the community is partnering their health care with gun death,” said Jennifer Copeland, the executive director of the NC Council of Churches.The company that makes the Invisalign product, Align Technology, does not want to have anything to do with the promotion.
“Invisalign-trained doctors are independent practices and Align was not involved in the development or approval of this promotion by
the dental practice, and only learned of it after the fact,” the company said in a statement. “For more than 25 years, Align has been helping doctors transform smiles and change lives through healthy, beautiful smiles using Invisalign aligners, and this promotion does not reflect our brand purpose.”Attorney Ron Shook stated that the promotion is perfectly legal. He adds that the most important thing is making sure the patient receiving the oral care can legally own a gun.
According to
Kurt Lieberman, the gun club’s owner, patients will need to visit the club in order to actually receive the gun. “You have to be 21 and older, and then, we do a background check here on site,” he told WFAB. It’s also recommended they take a training class.He adds that he will be recommending that the recipients of the free gun take a training class, but it won’t be required.