Dental News - Underserved in Philadelphia receive free care, thanks to AGD and AGD Foundation

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Underserved in Philadelphia receive free care, thanks to AGD and AGD Foundation

Nearly $150,000 in free dental services was recently provided in Philadelphia. (DTI/Photo AGD)
Dental Tribune USA

Dental Tribune USA

Wed. 18 July 2012

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa., USA: More than 240 volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and University of Pennsylvania dental students and faculty provided free dental care recently to 325 Philadelphia residents during the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and AGD Foundation third annual outreach project, “Nation of Smiles, One Smile At a Time.”

The event—the largest donated dental day in Pennsylvania history—was held at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine during the AGD 2012 Annual Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia, on June 23.

In total, AGD volunteers performed 1,198 procedures, which is an average of more than three procedures per patient. Upon reviewing the procedures that were completed, and based on a general range of fees accepted for each procedure, it is estimated that $149,477 of free oral health care was provided — approximately $460 per patient.

“This event in Philadelphia was our largest outreach project to date,” said AGD President Jeffrey M. Cole, DDS, MBA, FAGD. “There are countless populations around the country who are in desperate need of dental care, and many people are surprised to learn how important one’s oral health is to their overall well-being. The AGD is proud to have made a difference in the lives of those we treated that day.”

In a display of support, notable guests attended the outreach project throughout the day, including Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and members of the AGD Executive Committee and AGD Foundation Board of Directors. Sponsors of this year’s event included Hagan Benefits, Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Patterson Dental, and VELscope, among others.

Now in its third year, the AGD and AGD Foundation outreach program was previously held in New Orleans in 2010, and in San Diego in 2011. The AGD selects the location for this outreach project based on the location of its Annual Meeting & Exhibits. At the AGD 2011 “Nation of Smiles, One Smile at a Time” event in San Diego, AGD volunteers provided care to local homeless veterans; the value of the provided oral health care services was approximately $80,000, or $625 per patient. In 2010, at the AGD’s first inaugural outreach event in New Orleans, AGD volunteers provided nearly $100,000 in free oral care to approximately 180 underserved area residents.

(Source: AGD)

 

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