OUR MISSION
The Arizona Dental Foundation keeps Arizona smiling by providing charitable dentistry to children and individuals with a special need. We do this by mobilizing volunteers; identifying and linking resources; and providing educational opportunities for dental professionals.
The Arizona Dental Foundation is an affiliate organization of the Arizona Dental Association and an IRS 501c3 determined charity. Tax ID# 86-0531157
OUR VALUES
Education
Using education to improve public awareness and involvement in oral health
Prevention
Promoting prevention to sustain and maintain oral and systemic health
Treatment
Providing treatment with compassion and an emphasis on quality
WHAT WE DO
An American Dental Association initiative to reduce absenteeism in elementary school children, celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2012. Arizona’s award winning program has grown exponentially under ADFs coordination. In the past ten years, 12,000 children from Title I schools statewide received free dental care valued at $4 million. Through these activities 7,000 volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and dental students provided fillings, extractions and root canals worth an average of $300.00 at an operational cost of $40.00 per child.
Special Olympics – Special Smiles is part of the Healthy Athletes programs at Special Olympics events. Athletes receive free dental screenings and referrals from volunteer dental professionals.
Special Needs Providers
As part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Access to Oral Health Initiative, ADF implemented an intensive, hands-on special needs dentistry program that trained over 100 dentists in a three-year period on the unique challenges of serving individuals with a developmental disability in an effort to increase access to care by offering behavioral management techniques over costly sedation. The program was offered again in 2011 to 28 Maricopa County area dentists through a generous grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Donate your precious metals to ADF–we melt down all donated metals and auction them off to the highest bidder. All proceeds are distributed statewide across Arizona to community dental clinics.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Find out how you can help us Keep Arizona Smiling through your time, talent, or treasure. Volunteer or donate today and help provide charitable dental care to those who need it most!