CHCAGO (Sept. 5, 2012) — With the generous support of its 2012 donors, the Academy of General Dentistry Foundation—the philanthropic partner of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)—recently awarded a total of $40,000 in grants through its AGD Foundation Grant Program to nine charitable organizations for their work with local access to care programs.
“The number of people in desperate need of dental care is staggering,” says AGD Foundation President Paula S. Jones, DDS, FAGD. “Good oral health means more than just a pretty smile. Many people aren’t aware that their oral health impacts their overall well-being. The AGD Foundation is proud to help support organizations that are dedicated to making a difference.”
The following organization received grants through the 2012 AGD Foundation Grant Program:
- Desert Friends of the Developmentally Disabled, Rancho Mirage, Calif.
- Families First Health and Support Center, Portsmouth, N.H.
- OAR Foundation, Clemmons, N.C.
- Central Oklahoma American Indian Health Council, Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Riverside Health Clinic, Three Rivers, Mich.
- RiverStone Health, Billings, Mont.
- Southeast Texas Hands for God Ministry Inc., Beaumont, Texas
- Special Olympics, Washington, D.C.
- Sullivan County Dental Clinic, Laporte, Pa.
“With our grant support, these organizations anticipate providing dental care treatment and oral health education to thousands of underserved people in their local communities,” says Dr. Jones.
Through individual and corporate donations, the AGD Foundation is able to help support access to care programs that give back to local communities. Most recently, the AGD and AGD Foundation hosted the third annual outreach project, “Nation of Smile, One Smile at a Time,” during the AGD 2012 Annual Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia. This program provided nearly $150,000 of free dental care to 325 underserved Philadelphia residents.
AGD constituents and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply now for the 2013 AGD Foundation Grant Program. The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 31, 2012. For details, visit www.agd.org/agdf/grants/smile.asp.
To help make a difference and support quality dental care through access to care programs, donate to the AGD Foundation today by visiting www.agd.org/agdf/contribution/contributionform.asp.