Our world has quickly changed since our last newsletter. In just two months, we’ve gone from a vibrant economy to stay-at-home and now to a gradual reopening of the economy.
Though most dentists’ offices have been closed the last few months, our Donated Dental Services (DDS) Coordinators have been busy, focusing on qualifying applicants. As dental offices and laboratories reopen, we’ll have plenty of patients to send to those in a position to resume helping. And we understand that many dentists and laboratories are facing unprecedented challenges and just aren’t ready to accept new DDS referrals at this time. We truly value all volunteers whether they can help right now or later on in the year.
One of the beautiful aspects of the DDS program is choice. Volunteers can accept or reject any applicant we refer and then determine the treatment plan they feel best meets the patient’s needs. The care donated is often life changing and even life saving. We hope that as soon as each volunteer is ready, she or he will recommence treating the individuals with special needs that we refer: people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile and have no other way of getting treatment for serious dental diseases.
We thank each and every one of you for all you have done for Dental Lifeline Network and hope we have earned your continued support.