In October 2024, Dental Lifeline Network was honored by the American Dental Association and Dr. Linda Edgar, Immediate-Past President of the ADA, with the Presidential Citation Award in recognition of 50 years of lifechanging transformations of America’s most vulnerable adults. The Presidential Citation is an award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession of dentistry and the public’s oral health, and it is presented at the discretion of the ADA President. This award was presented by Dr. Edgar and accepted by Dr. Frank Maggio, National Board Chair for Dental Lifeline Network and retired trustee of the ADA.
Strategic Support
The ADA has supported DLN by consistently appointing trustees to serve on our national board. Currently, national DLN board directors include ADA Trustees Dr. Fred Howard and Dr. Allen Reavis. Dr. Frank Maggio initially was appointed as an ADA Trustee to the National Board years ago and now serves as Chair for Dental Lifeline Network. Many other former Trustees, including current ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler, have served on the DLN board throughout the years.
The American Dental Association and its members have made significant contributions to Dental Lifeline Network over the past 50 years. The ADA’s partnership is instrumental in recruiting new volunteers to our Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. Their support through our veterans’ campaigns resulted in hundreds of ADA members signing up to help veterans on our waitlist. Since our partnership began, the ADA has given over $1.7 million to DLN to help reach more patients in need. Additionally, thanks to the tremendous support of state dental associations and societies, the DDS program operates in all 50 states.
DLN is incredibly thankful to the American Dental Association, Dr. Edgar, Dr. Maggio, and the thousands of volunteer dentists in helping us change the lives of America’s most vulnerable adults through comprehensive dental care.