ADA Seeks 750 Dental Team Volunteers
The American Dental Association (ADA) is rallying its membership to join a Mission of Mercy (MOM) charity dental clinic on Sunday, Nov. 3, in New Orleans, the site of its 2013 Annual Session. Together with America’s Dentists Care Foundation and support from the Louisiana and New Orleans Dental Associations, the event aims to serve 1,000 people in need of dental care.
ADA-member dentists, their team members, clerical and support staff are encouraged to join what promises to be a rewarding and memorable day to help nurture a community and unite professionals who share a passion for improving the nation’s oral health.
“Volunteers are the backbone of this program, and this year’s event is truly unique given it’s the first to actively recruit dental professionals from around the country,” said Dr. Mark C. Huberty, Chair, ADA Mission of Mercy. “We will need approximately 750 people to pitch in their time and talent for a great cause that gives back to the public and our profession.”
MOM volunteers serve many roles during a typical event, with dental professionals generally providing triage services, diagnostics and treatment, including restorative and specialty care. Other volunteers, including students, laboratory technicians and office specialists, provide support to help the MOM clinics run smoothly. Spouses and family members older than 18 are also welcome to help with event registration, set-up/tear-down and other logistics. The children’s portion of the event will be sponsored by CareCredit in tandem with Give Kids A Smile, the ADA’s signature access to care program for underserved children.
This year’s ADA MOM in New Orleans will run from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Nov. 3 with full and half day shifts available. At this time, the ADA asks that MOM volunteers keep event details private so attendance can be managed through local promotional efforts. MOM participants do not need to be registered for the ADA Annual Session to volunteer. For more information or to register as a volunteer, visit ADA.org/MOM.
2013 Annual Session Registration is Open
The ADA’s 154th Annual Session and World Marketplace Exhibition, which is slated for Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 in New Orleans, brings together leaders in dental practice, research, academia and industry to present more than 300 continuing education courses over four days. On Thursday, Oct. 31, the Opening General Session and Distinguished Speaker Series will feature President Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States and founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation. Today, President Clinton and the foundation’s staff and volunteers work around the world improving lives through several initiatives, including the Clinton Health Access initiative, which is helping 4.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS obtain access to lifesaving drugs. The 2013 Distinguished Speaker Series is presented by Church & Dwight, the makers of ARM & HAMMER™, Spinbrush™ and ORAJEL™ oral care products. The Opening General Session, which kicks off the convention, will also honor the winner of the 2013 Humanitarian Award, Dr. Sherwin Shinn. For more information or to register, visit ADA.org/session.
For more information you are invited to follow the ADA on Twitter @AmerDentalAssn
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation’s largest dental association, representing 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public’s health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA’s state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA’s flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit www.ada.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA’s consumer website www.MouthHealthy.org.
