What’s Your Why?

FDA Members Share Why They Give to the FDA Foundation

By FDA Foundation

“I volunteer [with the Florida Dental Association (FDA) Foundation] because the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) is a place where you use your greatest expertise and passionto provide the greatest gift to mankind,” shares Dr. Sam Elias, FDA member and FLA-MOM prosthodontics co-manager.

As the philanthropic arm of the FDA, the FDA Foundation brings member dentists together to provide dental care to the underserved and uninsured in Florida — those who would otherwise go without care.

With guidance from the FDA Foundation, members hearing the call to Give, Volunteer and Lead can best use their time and skills to provide quality dental care to those in need. FDA member donations, time and leadership help create the success of the FDA Foundation.

“I’m involved [in the FDA Foundation] to give back to those in need and to show that dental professionals have a giving heart!” said Dr. Terry Buckenheimer, FDA Foundation board treasurer and FLA-MOM consultant.

Give

Emerald Club • Annual membership supports FDA

Foundation programs.

Giving Tuesday •Annual giving opportunity in

November to support the FDA

Foundation.

Planned Giving •Pledge a donation in your estate plan or donate with an annual IRA distribution charitable donation.

FDA President Dr. Jerry Bird and his wife, Jerilyn, have been long-time FDA Foundation supporters and say, “Our why is to bless others!” The Birds have been involved in many FLA-MOM clinics and say that the clinic “is an amazing weekend spent blessing others and getting back more than you can imagine.”

“I volunteer at FLA-MOM because I am happy to use my skills and experience to help people that have difficulty affording dental care,” explains Dr. Julia German, who volunteers along with her husband, Dr. Igor German, and their two daughters. “I came to this country as a very poor immigrant from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and I had the privilege of studying at the University of Florida and learning my great profession.” t

Volunteer

Florida Mission of Mercy •Annual two-day dental clinic withcare provided at no cost for those in need.

Donated Dental Services •Provide care in your office for disabled, elderly or medically fragile patients who cannot afford treatment.

Project: Dentists Care •Volunteer at a local dental access clinic that provides preventive and restorative care.

Lead

FDA Foundation Board •Serve on the Board of Directors or one of their committees.

Florida Mission of Mercy Leadership Team •Volunteer to lead a committee or department on the FLA-MOM planning team.

Come and join the FDA Foundation with our call to action – Give, Volunteer and Lead – and discover your Why!

As the philanthropic arm of the association, we are committed to promoting dental health for all Floridians, and our volunteers and donors help us make a difference in the lives of thousands of people each year. Former FDA Foundation president and longtime volunteer, Dr. Robert Payne, coined the phrase, “The FDA Foundation is the heart of the FDA.” Your support of the FDA Foundation is the beat that enables our “heart” to provide life-changing dental programs.

Please visit donate.floridadental.org to show your support today.

How Your Why Has an Impact in the Community

2022 Florida Mission of Mercy Patient Spotlight

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank the staff and volunteers for their time, work and sincerity through the entire process. But even more than that, I’d like to thank them for fixing my smile, my oral health and restoring my confidence. I used to live every day in fear of judgment for my [previously] poor dental hygiene. It wasn’t only affecting me. I have three stepdaughters with beautiful smiles, and they were hiding their teeth in photos and at events because they’d watched me do it for so long. Now I’m not afraid to show them how to smile with their teeth and how beautiful it is. I no longer avoid talking, smiling or laughing so people won’t see my teeth. No longer will I have to stay up at night in throbbing pain due to tooth aches because I don’t have the insurance to take care of it. I feel like I didn’t just get my smile and confidence back, I got my life back. Thank you again.” – 2022 FLA-MOM patient