The Academy of General Dentistry Foundation (AGDF) will collect and direct donations from its members to offer humanitarian relief in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. Katrina swept through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama leaving a trail of destruction. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed, and the landscape was decimated in what may be the most destructive storm in U.S. history. Victims are stranded and in need of immediate medical care, food and water, and tens of thousands of people will need temporary housing for months. Notably, Louisiana State University (LSU) Dental School also was greatly affected.
"We extend our hopes and prayers to everyone whose lives and livelihoods were touched by this tragedy," says AGD President Bruce A. Burton, DMD, MAGD, ABGD. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims, and our hearts go out to their families and friends."
Members and others will be able to donate through the AGD Web site home page, www.agd.org with funds assisting the affected dental schools. The AGDF will also contribute part of this fund to the American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation’s Charitable Assistance Program, which serves as a safety net for dentists and their families in need.
Also as information is collected, members deeply affected by this storm will share their stories through the AGD Web site and AGD publications in hopes of giving people a better understanding of the impact of Katrina.
About the AGDF
The AGDF was established in 1972 to improve the oral health of the public and support the efforts of general dentists and the AGD. The AGDF actively funds education and research initiatives that provide public oral health education and continuing education for member dentists. The AGDF has supported a wide variety of projects, from dental ethics to oral health of cancer patients.
The AGDF awards funds to organizations whose programs or projects fulfill its goals and mission, as well as those of the AGD. The ASDF accepts donations year-round and also raises funds through special events such as an annual golf outing and silent auction held annually at the AGD Annual Meeting. Donations made by general dentists, corporate sponsors and individual contributors have helped make many of these grants possible.