Dental News - CDA Foundation honors Dr. Terry T. Tanaka

Dental Tribune USA

Mon. 9 January 2012

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Sacramento, Calif., USA: Terry T. Tanaka, DDS, was awarded the 2011 California Dental Association Foundation Humanitarian Award for his dedication to providing dental care to underserved populations for more than three decades. Tanaka’s humanitarian contributions date back to 1979, when he began his work with field surgical clinics in Mexicali, La Paz and Guaymas.

Tanaka, who is a practicing dentist in Chula Vista, was the driving force behind organizing teams that traveled to Mexico to treat cleft lip and cleft palate children. With active fundraising, Tanaka and his Rotarian group established the Thousand Smiles Foundation and created a permanent, two-story clinic in Ensenada, Mexico. The clinic is used for restorative, prosthetic and orthodontic dental treatment, as well as speech therapy and hearing testing.

“Dr. Tanaka serves as an inspiration to dentistry and exemplifies a selfless dedication to our profession,” said Donald Rollofson, DMD, chair of the CDA Foundation.

The project has had a tremendous impact – benefitting thousands of children by providing medical treatment without cost to patients with maxillofacial deformities who would otherwise go untreated. Tanaka has changed the lives of thousands who now live free from dental pain and the stigma of facial deformity.

Tanaka has contributed significantly to alleviate human suffering and improve the oral health and quality of life of those served.

The Humanitarian Award was established in 2008 by the CDA Foundation to honor California dentists who have distinguished themselves through selfless leadership and contributions to humanity in the field of dentistry.

 The CDA Foundation was formed as the philanthropic affiliate of the California Dental Association in 2001 with the mission to improve the oral health of Californians by supporting the dental health profession and its efforts to increase access to care for the state’s most vulnerable people. The CDA Foundation works with experts in the dental profession, private business, academic institutions and government to produce programs that increase access to care; promote prevention, education and intervention; advance health policy research; and build a sustainable oral health workforce.

(Source: CDA Foundation)

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