The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and AGD Foundation Provide Nearly $150,000 in Free Dental Services to Underserved Populations of Philadelphia

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Jul 18, 2012, 10:49 ET

CHICAGO, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 240 volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and University of Pennsylvania dental students and faculty provided free dental care 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," says 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 Inc., 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.

About the Academy of General Dentistry
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health education to the public. AGD members stay up-to-date in their profession through a commitment to continuing education. Founded in 1952, the AGD is the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs. For more information about the AGD, visit www.agd.org.

About the AGD Foundation
The mission of the AGD Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the AGD, is to passionately support the efforts of the general dentist toward improving the oral health of the public.

SOURCE Academy of General Dentistry