ADA Asks Dentists to Volunteer for Donated Dental Services

ADA president Cesar Sabates is asking dentists to volunteer through Dental Lifeline Network’s Donated Dental Services program.

The American Dental Association is seeking volunteers for Dental Lifeline Network’s Donated Dental Services program, which provides comprehensive donated dental treatment to vulnerable individuals with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile.

With more than 7,000 patients currently on the national DDS waitlist, ADA president Cesar R. Sabates, DDS, asked dentists nationwide to volunteer to see at least one patient a year.

“Our impact as dentists goes far beyond what we might consider all in a day’s work. Imagine what patients feel when they leave our care,” said Dr. Sabates in a video message. “When they are able to live without pain, enjoy a meal, and smile with confidence, we have made an improvement in a fellow human being’s quality of life. And that is the true work of a dentist.”

Since its launch in 1985, the DDS program has provided over $500 million in donated dental treatment, impacting the lives of more than 166,000 vulnerable individuals.

“DDS screens patients, coordinates appointments, and completes the paperwork,” said Lynda Ricketson, chief executive officer of Dental Lifeline Network. “It has never been easier to impact your community as a dentist. We hope that the message from Dr. Sabates will inspire more dentists to volunteer for our program and help more patients in critical need.”