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Donated Dental Services (DDS) is a statewide organization dedicated to meeting the oral health needs of disabled, elderly, or medically compromised Arkansans who cannot afford needed treatment.
DDS Volunteer Laboratories:
Many Donated Dental Services (DDS) patients have extensive dental problems requiring dentures, crowns, or bridges; appliances usually made by dental laboratories. Patients or family members that can afford all or part of a laboratory bill, may be asked to pay it. Sometimes, churches, social services agencies, and other benefactors make financial contributions to defray these costs.
Most DDS patients, however, cannot afford even a small portion of any laboratory bill. The National Association of Dental Laboratories has endorsed the DDS program and many dental laboratories in the DDS program sites donate these appliances. Dentsply International, a major manufacturer, replaces the artificial teeth that volunteer laboratories use to make dentures for DDS patients.
Every attempt is made to find a donating laboratory, but the need for dental fabrications -- particularly dentures -- exceeds what these laboratories can contribute. The Referral Coordinator is responsible for arranging laboratory services. If the Coordinator cannot locate a volunteer laboratory, the Foundation pays for the laboratory costs the donating dentists incur in treating DDS patients who have no other resources. Monies to pay these costs are raised in each community.
The Foundation gives all participating laboratories engraved plaques to thank them for their community service. The generous support of the Colgate-Palmolive Company started this tradition and other funders now support this important recognition effort. Most dental associations recognize the contributions of these laboratories in their journals and newsletters.
Click here to learn how you can become a donating laboratory with the DDS program!
Click here to learn how you can contribute to the DDS program!
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