Your help and participation are needed

As a dental professional, you’re accustomed to helping others daily. Many of you donate your time and services to assist those in your community who are not fortunate enough to be able to maintain their oral health with regular visits.

This year, DentalTown Magazine was introduced to a national organization that enables those with special needs to obtain basic dental care.

The National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH) sponsors a program that provides dental treatment for the medically impaired, developmentally disabled and the elderly through Donated Dental Services (DDS). DDS projects are currently active in 29 states with more than 9,000 participating dentists volunteering their time to changing the lives of more than 30,000 people in need.

The NFDH has developed a mutually beneficial plan for funding this program. They have devised a book, called DentaCheques, that consists of discount coupons, supplied by dental manufacturers and distributors on supplies you frequently use in your practice. The purchase price of the book is $75 (which is completely tax-deductible) and 91% of the money generated from the sale of the book goes directly towards donated treatment and direct care services provided by the NFDH program.

Many of your are familiar with the Entertainment Books frequently sold by Boy Scouts or high-school students to sponsor a goodwill program or event. This book works in much the same way, except you most likely will use all the coupons and receive the price of the book back many times over.

In short, there is really nothing to lose and everything to gain by contributing to this program with the purchase of a DentaCheques book. So, whose lives will you be helping by assisting with this program?

People like a young man who lived in foster homes much of his life because his father committed suicide when he was five-years old. Two years later, his mother abandoned him in a hospital waiting room. The trauma of his youth caused emotional problems including depression.

In addition to severe depression, the boy was further scared by a severe malocclusion. Learning of the situation, a generous orthodontist volunteered his time to provide services Medicaid denied. After treatment, here is what the young man had to say: “I really appreciate the help you gave me. Thanks to you I have my self-esteem back and I feel happier. If it wasn’t for you accepting me into your program, I wouldn’t be where I am now. In great appreciation, I give you a million thank yous.”

Here are but a few of the companies with money-saving coupons in DentaCheques:
Burkhart Dental Supply Company
Sullivan-Schein
Patterson Dental
3M ESPE
A-Dec
Dentsply Caulk
Dentsply Gendex
Eastman Kodak Company
GC America
Hu-Friedy
Ivoclar Vivadent
Jeneric/Pentron, Inc.
Kavo America
Kerr Corporation

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“The NFDH provides the most significant altruistic service I have ever encountered over my many years of activity in the profession. They really need your sincere participation and involvement.”
Dr. Gordon Christensen,
D.D.S., M.S.D, Ph.D.

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For information on purchasing the DentaCheques book and/or volunteering for the DDS program call the NFDH at: 1-800-366-3331