The America’s Dentists Care Foundation Board of Directors met in August at the North American Headquarters of Planmeca in Chicago. Founded in 2008, ADCF provides all the dental equipment for the Mission of Mercy clinics and other charitable organizations throughout the United States. Since inception, this equipment has supported more than 200 clinics in 31 states. These clinics and the local volunteer dentists, hygienists and dental assistants have seen more than 300,000 patients, providing nearly $250 million dollars in charitable oral healthcare to the nation’s underserved and those in need.
ADCF Executive Director Bill Blasing likens the service ADCF provides as being the “hub” of the wheel. “ADCF is a key element of the Mission of Mercy clinics. We exist to support their clinics and the clinics are dependent upon our equipment and our expertise to make them possible.,” Blasing said. “ADCF and Mission of Mercy are a true partnership as together we make the delivery of oral healthcare to the underserved possible.”
Blasing went on to state, “ADCF acquires, warehouses, maintains, transports, sets-up and breaks-down this top-of-the-line equipment. The equipment is transported in 53’ semi-trailers to the site, where it is off-loaded, placed, and made ready for the local volunteers that provide the dental care. On average, a clinic will run for two days and will see between 1,500 and 2,000 patients.”
ADCF has experienced significant growth in clinic requests. This year alone the organization will sup-port 28 clinics and estimates 2020 will grow to 30 or more clinics. As the number of clinics grows, so does the need for additional equipment and trailers. ADCF will soon embark on a fundraising cam-paign to purchase an additional trailer and the necessary dental equipment to support the increased requests.
ADCF is supported by a number of dental manufacturers and distributors who provide financial and in-kind contributions. While these support the current service ADCF provides, the funds necessary for ex-pansion will need to come from grants and other outside contributors.
“Oral healthcare has never been more important than it is today,” said Blasing. “A healthy mouth is a precursor to good overall health. ADCF’s goal is to support the delivery of oral healthcare to all those in need, working in partnership with Mission of Mercy and other charitable organizations that provide oral healthcare to the underserved. Together we can all make a difference.”
From left: Dr. Chuck Wood, dentist and Arkansas MOM; Fred Eichmiller, Delta Dental of Wisconsin; Robin Gathman, Planmeca; Andy Whitehead, OSAP; Paul Batley, Henry Schein; Dr. Karyn Stockwell, dentist and Georgia MOM; Dr. Rieger Wood, dentist and Oklahoma MOM; Bill Blasing, ADCF Executive Director; Glenn Neal, Mid-South MOM; Josh Killian; Patterson Dental; Dr. Andy Soderstrom, dentist and CDA Cares. Not pictured: Alejandro Aguirre, endodontist; Carmelo Cinqueonce, Minnesota Dental Association; Kevin Conroy, Phoenix Endodontics and Central Arizona Dental Society.
To learn more about ADCF and to support our expansion visit our website at www.adcf.net.
“ADCF provides the tools. Dentists provide the care.”
