WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Dentists volunteering through the Wisconsin Dental Association Foundation’s Donated Dental Services (DDS) program provided $186,040 in charitable dental care to 88 adult patients between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. This number includes completed cases as well as active and ongoing clients. Wisconsin dental laboratories also played a significant role in these efforts by contributing an additional $9,400 in materials and services of their own.
The DDS program serves those who do not qualify for government assistance programs and cannot afford dental care – commonly uninsured patients with a restricted income due to a permanent physical disability, chronic illness or advanced age who have no other means of accessing the oral care they require. Patients are selected based on financial need and a phone interview with the referral coordinator. Candidates then visit a volunteer dentist who assesses their situation and decides whether to take on the financial and clinical responsibilities
The majority of DDS patients require a substantial amount of dental work, including bridges, crowns or dentures at an average treatment cost of more than $4,200 per person.
“I am so happy that you were able to help me with the [Donated Dental Services] program,” said DDS patient Elaine, 77, who lives in southcentral Wisconsin and was suffering from an ill-fitting lower denture that had been made in 1994. “I am very happy to have a new denture. I can eat so much better. I am so grateful for this service.”
The DDS program is currently accepting applications in all Wisconsin counties. Download a Donated Dental Services application or complete it online at WDA.org. Wisconsin residents should call 888-338-6852.
The State of Wisconsin provides limited monetary support for administrative and lab costs. Participating dentists generally contribute roughly $7 in treatment and materials per each dollar contributed to the program. Since inception of the DDS program in 1998, 890 volunteer dentists have provided more than $13 million in comprehensive dental care at no charge to 4,234 adults in need. Additionally, 162 dental labs have donated almost $883,000 in supplies and services.
Visit the WDA Foundation donor page to learn how you can help provide tax-deductible financial support for statewide charitable dental care and oral hygiene education outreach efforts like the DDS program.
The WDA Foundation’s Donated Dental Services Program is a licensee of Dental Lifeline Network.
