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THE FOUNDATION OF DENTISTRY FOR THE HANDICAPPED:
Click here to see The Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped's web site!
Click here to see the web site of the American Dental Association!
In 1985 the Foundation started the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program to help disabled and elderly persons who are indigent by matching them with volunteer dentists. Homeless and mentally ill people are also helped.
Most participating dentists volunteer to treat one or two people each year with seriously neglected dental problems. Some dentists volunteer much more however. Dental laboratories that make dentures, crowns, and bridges for dentists also donate services. Contributions from state governments, individuals, businesses, United Ways, and foundations support local referral offices.
The Foundation began the first DDS program in Colorado and it now helps over 500 elderly and disabled people each year. Each patient receives over $1,300 worth of services, on average.
Through grants from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Oral Health America, American Dental Association Health Foundation, and Great-West Life & Annuity, the Foundation with state and local dental associations have developed similar programs in many more states across the nation. Thousands of dentists donate several million dollars worth of care annually.
In each program, day-to-day activities are managed by a DDS Referral Coordinator (some large statewide programs have two coordinators). Their responsibilities include determining eligibility of applicants, matching patients with nearby volunteer dentists, monitoring each person�s progress, and coordination laboratory services. Resolving problems that may interfere with care is, perhaps, the Coordinators most important duty.
The volunteers are the lifeblood of the program and the DDS Referral Coordinators work very hard to support the dentists and laboratories that so generously give their time.
Click here to see The Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped�s web site!
Click here to see the web site of the American Dental Association!
Click here to learn how you can become a donating dentist or laboratory with the Arkansas DDS program!
Click here to learn how you can contribute to the Arkansas DDS program!
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