Everyone gives back to their community in different ways. Volunteering time, money, talents, or possibly some sweat with occasional manual labor.
I have the opportunity to give back to my community in the way that I think I am the most helpful - dentistry.
Many years ago I signed up for a program that gives back to those who are in need here locally in the Seattle area. This program is called DDS (Donated Dental Service) and is run by a charitable organization called the Dental Lifeline network (formerly the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH)). Their focus is to help disabled, elderly, or medically at-risk individuals who don't normally have the opportunity to receive quality dental care. The great thing about this program - they do everything. They assess the situation and the patient's needs, arrange for transportation if needed, and make the appointment.
We have all been burned in the past - where charitably appointed patients just don't value the treatment you are offering and fail to show up. It can certainly be very frustrating or it can be very rewarding depending on the outcome. Since I've been volunteering with DDS, I have never had a problem with a patient not showing up - or missing an appointment.
Another new and exciting way to give back to those less fortunate is through Spear Education's Open Wide Foundation. What a wonderful opportunity to help in such an ambitious project - to break the cycle of poverty. I can't do the massive project justice in a few sentences, so I encourage you to visit the Open Wide Foundation website at www.speareducation.com/openwide/.
There are so many ways to contribute and so many opportunities to help. If you already do charitable work for those less fortunate then I don't need to tell you how happy it can make one feel - we have so many talented individuals on cerecdoctors.com - I hope giving back becomes contagious with all of us here!
Darren Greenhalgh 
Many years ago I signed up for a program that gives back to those who are in need here locally in the Seattle area. This program is called DDS (Donated Dental Service) and is run by a charitable organization called the Dental Lifeline network (formerly the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH)). Their focus is to help disabled, elderly, or medically at-risk individuals who don't normally have the opportunity to receive quality dental care. The great thing about this program - they do everything. They assess the situation and the patient's needs, arrange for transportation if needed, and make the appointment.
We have all been burned in the past - where charitably appointed patients just don't value the treatment you are offering and fail to show up. It can certainly be very frustrating or it can be very rewarding depending on the outcome. Since I've been volunteering with DDS, I have never had a problem with a patient not showing up - or missing an appointment.
Another new and exciting way to give back to those less fortunate is through Spear Education's Open Wide Foundation. What a wonderful opportunity to help in such an ambitious project - to break the cycle of poverty. I can't do the massive project justice in a few sentences, so I encourage you to visit the Open Wide Foundation website at www.speareducation.com/openwide/.
There are so many ways to contribute and so many opportunities to help. If you already do charitable work for those less fortunate then I don't need to tell you how happy it can make one feel - we have so many talented individuals on cerecdoctors.com - I hope giving back becomes contagious with all of us here! 