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FAQ: Hosting a Free Dental Day

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Townies on the message boards have asked many-a-question about hosting a free dental day in their practices. We have decided to clear up some of the confusion. We spoke with Lindsey Nickel de-la-O, communications director, and Brian Carlsen, chief operations officer of Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH) to answer your questions.

What are the steps to host a free dental day through your organization?
For a nominal donation, doctors can register to host a Dentistry from the Heart event on our Web site. The donation made by the volunteer doctor provides the practice with membership in our 501(c)(3) Public Charity. This allows a given practice to solicit and receive tax-deductible donations and support from interested parties both private and corporate. Donors who offset the practice's initial donation are offered honorable mention in press releases, event banners, etc. Our doctors also have access to our marketing and public relations materials. Event materials are also provided (i.e. customized T-shirts and an event banner). This approach lifts a huge burden off of a practice allowing them to focus on dentistry, which is their strong suit.

What are the steps to host a free dental day independently?
A doctor needs to be prepared to manage the following:
  1. Marketing the event and building community awareness.
  2. Soliciting support.
  3. Coordinating the event logistics from patient registration, capacity, services, staff, volunteers, sponsors and more.
  4. Insurance, both event insurance for dentists who rent their office space property and any additional patient liability.
Click here for a checklist of items to help you plan your own charity day.

Is it tax-deductible?
Dentistry From The Heart donations and events are tax deductible to the degree allowable under the auspices of a 501(c)(3). Operating without a charitable status does reduce the amount of donations or practice expenditures that might be deducted. I would recommend speaking to a tax accountant about this.

What are the liabilities?
Charitable events which are held with the status of a 501 (c)(3) enjoy sovereign immunity from prosecution for services rendered.

Events run outside of a charitable status must rely upon their own insurance and legal resources to deal with treatment issues that might arise.



How much would it cost a dentist?
That depends on many factors including the size of the staff and the number of people to be treated. Many doctors receive donations from their vendors and additional sponsors that help offset the cost of hosting the event. On average, a typical practice will treat about 90 patients in one day. Material expenses might run up to about $5,000. If the staff volunteers their time as well, a practice might be able to narrow its event costs down to a minimal financial impact.

What services should a dentist offer?
We recommend that dentists offer free fillings, cleanings and extractions. These are the most universal services needed. To attempt to do more than these procedures will impact the number of people that might be treated while increasing the likelihood of more complex procedures involving complications.

How should a dentist market the event?
We recommend dentists use public relations to promote their event. We also recommend they use whatever advertising sources they are currently using to promote their practice.

How should dentists screen patients?
Patient screening is up to the independent practice. We do not screen patients, we only ask that they be 18 or older, or have a signature of a parent or guardian to receive services.

What are the benefits of hosting a free dental day through a charity like DFTH versus doing it independently?
It just ends up being a lot more affordable for the dentist because we provide them with so many marketing and logistic services. The average dental practice is very good at being a dental practice, but oftentimes lacks the internal resources to take on the media, logistics and financial aspects in offering free dentistry. To attempt this with a staff that is very good at running a practice but not a charity event can evolve into a costly endeavor. We have designed our services around the simple notion of making it easier for a practice to reach out to those in need.

What are other charity resources besides DFTH which help dentists host free dental days?
There are organizations like Give Kids a Smile and the Missions of Mercy organization. The enemy of tooth decay is our friend. In other words, we all have virtually the same mission: to bring care to those who are in need. As we are one of the fastest growing charities, we must be doing something right. For every member that we have, there are three more considering membership.

The profession of dentistry is composed of giving and caring people. It is supremely gratifying to work with dentists and their staff in pulling these events together. The enthusiasm and the humanity that our members exude is truly touching to see.

"People who don't have insurance or can't afford dental work don't have many low cost or free care options available to them… Our passion is to work with dental practices across North America in encouraging them to volunteer their time and give back to their communities by hosting a Dentist from the Heart event."
—Dr. Vincent Monticciolo, founder of DFTH

Dentistry from the Heart is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Public Charity. For more information, visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org, e-mail smile@dentistryfromtheheart.org or call 727-849-2002.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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