Dr. Jeff Dzingle and his practice partner Dr. Patrick Mullally (currently Michigan Endodontists Association president) of Lake Michigan Endodontics, participate in three different pro bono programs: Delta Dental’s Healthy Kids; Volunteer For Dental in which low income patients earn credits toward free dental services through community service hours and an oral health education class; and a local chapter of Love In Action, a faith-based network which operates a community medical and dental clinic among other services. Their practice frequently sees up to one pro bono case a day. Dr. Sue Suh founded Smile Unto Him, a comprehensive free dental clinic in Riverside, CA, serving low-income veterans and seniors. She devotes 40% of her practice income to help fund the clinic, working there every Saturday and offering endodontic CE courses to local general dentists. More than 30 volunteer providers include dentists and dental students. The clinic's current space has three chairs and two microscopes; Dr. Suh is working on securing new space that would increase the operatory to 10 chairs. Inspired by his experience volunteering with the Foundation’s international access to care program in Jamaica, Foundation Trustee Dr. Ryan McMahan of Gaylord, MI, has created Samaritan Dental Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, whose mission is to provide access to dental care in rural northern Michigan for patients in need through faith-based community partnerships. The Northeast region of Michigan, in which Dr. McMahan practices, has the highest rate of healthcare uninsured residents in the state, with very high patient-to-provider ratios.
We hope these examples of your colleagues giving back to their communities inspire you to take action!
FOCUS 2023
13
Made with FlippingBook Proposal Creator