The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF), charitable arm of the American Dental Association (ADA), has announced the raising of nearly $300,000 from the dental community, completing the first phase of its Tsunami Assistance Campaign.
The American Red Cross International Relief Fund will receive the proceeds from the campaign.
In the relief effort, spearheaded by the ADAF, the ADAF and the ADA each donated $50,000 for use as a challenge match fund, giving ADA member dentists and others the opportunity to increase the impact of their individual donations. The ADA also donated $10,000 in matching support on behalf of its staff to the fund.
ADA President Richard Haught, DDS, said, "It is gratifying to see the response from our members and others in the dental community as they stepped forward in answering our call for assistance. This is a demonstration of the compassion and humanitarianism of the profession."
"We are extremely pleased with the dental community's generosity in our call for support to help assist the victims of this catastrophe. We now look forward to devoting our efforts on the campaign's second phase focused on reconstruction," said ADA Foundation President Arthur A. Dugoni, DDS, MSD. Dr. Dugoni is dean of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco.
The campaign's second phase will provide financial assistance and other resources to help cities and villages damaged by the tsunami to rebuild dental clinics.
About the ADA Foundation
The ADA Foundation is dedicated to improving health and making lives better, one person at a time. Since 1991, the ADA Foundation has disbursed nearly $25 million dollars to support such charitable activities. In addition to funding grants for dental research, education, scholarships and access to care, the Foundation supports Charitable Assistance Programs such as relief grants to dentists and their dependents that are unable to support themselves due to injury, a medical condition or advanced age; and grants and loans to those who are victims of disasters.
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 152,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org.