Click here to enlarge imageFor more on this topic, go to www.dentaleconomics.com and search using the following key words: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation, Dr. Joyce Bassett.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry's Charitable Foundation adopted a mission to support the health, growth, and development of society through three programs: Give Back A Smile, the Disaster Relief Fund, and the Educational Endowment Fund. Tasia's story is common among applicants in the Charitable Foundation's Give Back A Smile program. GBAS connects survivors of domestic violence with participating dentists, who restore their lives by restoring their smiles. This is done at no cost to the survivors. Millions of people are abused by a spouse or a partner annually. As word of GBAS spreads, there will be a greater demand for volunteer dentists and ceramists. Since the program's onset, AACD dentists have restored more than 700 smiles, and have improved survivors' confidence, pride, and self-image. These patients display such intense gratitude and appreciation that the hearts and lives of the volunteer dentists are changed forever, too. One need not be an AACD member to volunteer. In this economic downturn, many dentists are experiencing a slowdown and vacancies in their schedules. Increased downtime provides an opportunity to give back to the community, take on a survivor, invest in professional growth, and benefit from the good feeling that comes from “giving back a smile.”
You can also contribute through the GBAS whitening program by donating one or more of the whitenings performed at an office. The AACD's whitening program corporate sponsors — Discus Dental and Ultradent — will donate the whitening product. Dentists in the whitening program then donate revenue generated by the procedure.
The foundation's Disaster Relief Fund helps AACD member dentists who have become victims of Mother Nature. When floods, tornados, earthquakes, and forest fires turn lives upside down, the Disaster Relief Fund helps these dentists recover and rebuild their practices and lives. More than $80,000 was donated to help support fellow members in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The foundation's new Educational Endowment Fund provides scholarships to talented and deserving dental students. Selection is based on need and clinical skills in cosmetic dentistry. Educational Endowment Fund scholarships that advance the art and science of cosmetic dentistry are the only ones of their kind. Money donated to the endowment is permanently restricted for this purpose, and increases the number of dental students who will benefit from the generosity of dentists, dental companies, and laboratories.
Involvement in any and all of these worthy projects helps those with the greatest need, and allows dental professionals to fulfill their desire to make the world a better place through the gifts of dentistry. Dentists, hygienists, and assistants possess unique talents. They are the only ones who can provide the dental care that many people desperately need. Dental professionals are encouraged to join the AACD and participate in these programs. For more information and to take advantage of the opportunity to make a difference, dentists, team members, laboratory technicians, and dental manufacturers should contact Erin Roberts at the AACD at (800) 543-9220.
Joyce Bassett, DDS, graduated from the Ohio State University School of Dentistry. She is a Fellow and past president of the Academy of General Dentistry, an Accredited member of the AACD, a Fellow in the International Academy of Dental Facial Aesthetics, and has served on the editorial board of Practical Procedures & Aesthetic Dentistry. She is also the founder of the Women Teaching Women learning center, which is located in Scottsdale, Ariz. Contact Dr. Bassett by phone at (480) 367-8889, by e-mail at [email protected], or visit her Web site at www.drbassett.com.