America’s Dentists Care Foundation Prepares for Future Growth

The America’s Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF) Board of Directors met in August at Planmeca’s North American headquarters in Chicago. Founded in 2008, ADCF provides all of the dental equipment for Mission of Mercy clinics and other charitable organizations throughout the United States. This equipment supports more than 200 clinics in 31 states. These clinics and the local volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants have seen more than 300,000 patients, providing nearly $250 million in charitable oral health care to the nation’s underserved and those in need.

Bill Blasing, ADCF executive director, 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,” he says. “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 support 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 campaign 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 expansion will need to come from grants and other outside contributors.

“Oral health care has never been more important than it is today,” says Blasing. “A healthy mouth is a precursor to good overall health. ADCF’s goal is to support the delivery of oral health care to all those in need, working in partnership with Mission of Mercy and other charitable organizations that provide oral health care to the underserved. Together we can all make a difference.”

To learn more about ADCF, visit adcf.net.