Four Ways Dental Professionals Can Give Back to Their Communities

Giving back to your community is an extremely gratifying concept and something that can assist you in building your reputation as an ethical dental professional. While some professionals prefer to give monetary donations, others would rather give of their time. We have compiled a few ideas to help you with your community giving initiatives.

1. Volunteer Your Time

Giving of your time is an extremely noble action, and there are many organizations and charities in need of physical help from passionate and qualified professionals. You could give a quick talk at a local school to parents and students about the importance of looking after your teeth from a young age, or you could consider donating time or funds to one of the following organizations:

Missions of Mercy

Missions of Mercy holds events in conjunction with America’s Dentists Care Foundation and offers dental services such as cleaning, extractions and fillings.

Donated Dental Services (DDS)

Through the DDS you can help some of the community’s neediest individuals.

Give Kids A Smile

Give Kids A Smile provides free dental care to children who come from low-income households completing important work in terms of restorative and preventive care.

2. Hold an Open Day

Consider having an open day at your practice where you invite people to attend a talk about something you feel is important to the community and your patients. Or, consider offering free screenings for oral cancer. There are many people who can’t afford a screening but fall into the high-risk category because they smoke or chew tobacco.

3. Donate Money or Supplies

There are many worthy causes that need donations of basic dental services and supplies to people who cannot afford it. Consider donating toothpaste samples, toothbrushes and mouth rinse  to a local shelter or one of the following organizations:

Healthy Smiles Healthy Children

This organization helps prevent the development of cavities in young children whose parents cannot afford dental care.

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation

The AACDCF also does important work in restoring the smiles of those who are affected by domestic violence. Through their free service offering, they have also assisted thousands of people to rebuild their self-confidence.

4. Offer Your Own Services at a Discounted Rate

There are still many people who cannot afford dental insurance. If you can’t make the time to support a charity, consider offering a discounted rate to people from low- income households, pensioners or young children.

The upcoming holidays are a great time to focus your energy on giving back to your community. Whether you choose to donate time, money, supplies or services to those in need, your efforts will be appreciated by those in your community.

The NAPB specializes in bringing dental practice buyers and sellers together. For expert advice on how your dental practice can positively impact your community, feel free to contact us.