American Dental Partners Foundation a Look Back At 2017

Endowments

The Foundation is always striving to fulfill its mission of existing for the betterment of oral health care as a component of overall health: education, disease prevention, and community patient care. Endowments and scholarships are awarded to general, specialty, dental hygiene, and dental assistant students. We are proud to partner with over 40 schools.

This past August, Metro Dentalcare raised more than $11,000 for cancer research at the Chainbreaker Bike Ride. The fundraiser is supported by the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center and Dental School. Metro Dentalcare raised the funds through practice and Resource Group fundraisers, personal donations, and a contribution from the American Dental Partners Foundation.


In August, Hurricane Harvey wrought a path of destruction on the State of Texas. Houston residents in particular, were left homeless, others sought assistance at shelters. Many were left without options for health care. The choice for some was no choice at all-a visit to the emergency room or no care. The barriers to customary support were mostly insurmountable. Immediately, Carus Dental and American Dental Partners team members stood ready to help. Partnering with the American Dental Partners Foundation $3,500 were raised and the San Jose’ Clinic was chosen to support local care and needed assistance. Furnishing affordable health services, including medical, dental, and pharmacy services to the uninsured since 1922, the San José Clinic is a safety clinic-a beacon of hope to the community. Their mission of dignity, education and quality resonates with ours.

The American Dental Partners, National Resource Group Social Responsibility Committee hosted a fundraiser to benefit Smiles Across America/Oral Health America. Fun and food was had by all. For a great cause, the team enjoyed a friendly game of kickball and pizza afterward. American Dental Partners Foundation generously matched the monies raised by the Social Responsibility Committee. The contribution totaled $1,500.

Smiles Across America/ Oral Health America first established in 2004, addresses the most common preventable health epidemic our children face: tooth decay. Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most common chronic childhood disease-5 times more common than asthma. Oral Health America supports school-based & school-linked sealant programs nationwide to provide preventive oral health services and education to children who may not have access to regular care.

Many kids in Massachusetts schools are without needed preventive oral care. We were pleased to give back to our local community.

There are over 600 quotes on the internet that espouse the virtues of giving. At ForwardDental, we didn’t need Google to convince us though. We have found the proof is in the strength of the relationships we have built with the local Dental Hygiene programs.
In collaboration with the American Dental Partners Foundation we established our first endowment with the Milwaukee Area Technical College Dental Hygiene Program in 2016, we thought we were taking our core value of social responsibility off the wall and living it. What started as a way to give back to deserving students, has turned into an endeavor that sees us reaping as many of the rewards of our new relationship as do the students. We have seen all aspects of our dental group practice impacted by this gift. The gift of gift giving has opened doors to professional development, recruitment, growth and more philanthropic efforts.

In 2017, ForwardDental elected to expand the geographic distribution of Dental Hygiene programs and endowments to represent every part of the State. We have begun to establish ourselves as the “go to group”. Students want to learn more about us and some make application or begin as dental assistants with the group well before graduation. The earlier students learn about our clinical protocols, develop technical skills, become comfortable with our electronic health record and meet our team members the more seamless the transition from educational program to clinical practice. Ready with knowledge of our group and applicable clinical skills the new graduates better serve our patients.

By partnering with the Dental Hygiene Schools we’ve afforded opportunities for students to earn scholarships and become more engaged in their profession before they graduate.

FAQs

The Foundation is driven by its mission to exist for the betterment or oral health care as a component of overall health: education, disease prevention, and community patient care. We often take for granted the benefits of oral health in the communities where we reside. Daily, we have access to services that others are not so fortunate to have. Through our contributions, the support of dental education and local services organizations, we can give the gift of good health to kids, families and communites.

An Endowment is a donation of monies to a university and/or nonprofit organization for the ongoing support of education or oral health services.

Most universities will grant scholarships while the Endowment is being funded. Additional monies may be required to fulfill the scholarships.

Absolutely. When you make a contribution to the Foundation, you may restrict your monies a dental school, community program, or dental organization of your choosing. We will make the donation to that organization in your name. You will receive credit for the gift.

Yes! Please see your manager for a payroll deduction form, or contact Sarah Romano