The dental community has been facing staffing challenges and practice retirements/sales since 2020, leading to a significant shift in the landscape. However, the need for comprehensive dental care among underserved populations continues to grow. In response, Dental Lifeline Network (DLN), a nonprofit organization, is stepping up to address this need by providing dental care to adults with special needs across the United States. They accomplish this through charity programs that bring life-changing treatment to those in need, with the help of a large volunteer network of dentists and laboratories.
Currently, there are over 8,000 individuals with disabilities, veterans, and others in need of dental care who are awaiting treatment. DLN is actively seeking additional volunteer dentists and laboratories to help serve these underserved populations. They recognize the value of a dentist’s time and have made it simple for compassionate dental professionals to give back and make a profound impact on their communities.
Dentists from all over the country are sharing their personal reasons for volunteering with DLN, hoping to inspire their colleagues to join them in this important cause. One such dentist, Dr. Tom J. Sniscak, a DLN board member and volunteer, shares that he volunteers because it brings back the same sense of fulfillment he felt in dental school when he was solely focused on treating patients and improving their oral health, without the pressures of running a practice.
Volunteering with DLN allows dentists to make a difference in the lives of individuals like John, a retired Army veteran with multiple disabilities. John had been suffering from severely deteriorated dental health, with missing and loose teeth causing him pain. Thanks to a team of compassionate volunteers, John received thousands of dollars’ worth of donated treatment that ultimately restored his oral health.
DLN makes it easy for dentists to get involved through their volunteer-donated treatment program. They handle everything from prescreening and scheduling patients at the dentist’s convenience to managing the coordination of care. DLN offers turnkey solutions to ensure a smooth and impactful volunteering experience.
In conclusion, Dental Lifeline Network is actively seeking volunteer dentists and laboratories to address the growing need for comprehensive dental care among underserved populations. By volunteering with DLN, dental professionals have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their communities and improve the oral health of those in desperate need. To learn more about volunteering with DLN, visit their website at https://dentallifeline.org/volunteers/why-i-dental/. Let’s live our ‘Why’ and do good together.