Dental Lifeline Network’s Donated Dental Services (DDS) program changes the lives of individuals like Robert, 72, who lives with his wife and kids in Florida. Robert and his wife have spent most of their lives giving back to others in need as foster parents. However, Robert now suffers from a variety of health problems that have impacted his quality of life and his oral health. Robert was wearing broken dentures that were over 22 years old. Due to these dentures fitting poorly, Robert was unable to chew his food, and his gums were often irritated, leaving him in pain.
This all changed when a team of amazing volunteers stepped in to help Robert through the DDS program. Dr. Steven Hochfelder, a volunteer dentist, worked with a volunteer lab, Sakr Dental Arts, to provide Robert with a new complete upper denture, a crown on his bottom tooth, and a new lower removable partial denture. Thanks to this generous and caring team, Robert received thousands of dollars in donated treatment that restored his oral health and allowed him to eat without pain!
How YOU Can Help
Your participation as a DDS volunteer enables you to make a significant impact on the lives of patients like Robert. By offering your time and skills, you create change that transforms the lives of individuals in need.
“I feel all dentists have an obligation to ‘give back and serve others,’” said Dr. Hochfelder. “The DDS program is a great and much needed program to serve the underserved. There is a significant need. We are a service profession, and as part of the best profession in the world, we should all give back and pay it forward.”
Dental Lifeline Network’s Mission
Dental Lifeline Network’s mission is to change the lives of America’s most vulnerable adults through a coordinated system of care and has been doing so for 50 years. Dental Lifeline Network’s DDS program operates nationally and helps individuals with disabilities, who are elderly, or medically fragile and cannot afford or otherwise access dental treatment.
There are currently hundreds of patients who are awaiting essential dental care. Learn how easy it is for you to make a difference with DLN and sign up to be a volunteer by visiting WhyIDental.org or by scanning the QR code. You can also donate at dentallifeline.org/give.
