How Do You Give Back?

The Foundation salutes the tremendous spirit of giving and philanthropy in the endodontic community. We hope you’re inspired to take action by the following examples of your colleagues giving back to their communities…and if you already have, please tell us your story! 

Dr. Andrew D’Amelio (pictured with Dr. Francisco Nieves) began volunteering at Mercy Clinic in Ft Worth after viewing the Foundation’s videos on the first round of domestic access to care grants. He retired from private practice in Naples, FL and moved to Texas to be near two sons. 

The Smith Island Dental Clinic Project which Dr. Gael Delany of Chevy Chase, MD helped found and treats the underserved residents of a remote island off the coast of Maryland. Its expanding scope of care includes periodontics and crown and bridge with implants on the horizon.  The succession of endodontic care established by Dr. Delany will be continued by University of Maryland residents now also volunteering at the clinic.  

Foundation Trustee Dr. Ryan McMahan of Gaylord, MI has created Samaritan Dental Foundation, a registered 501c3 public charity, whose mission is to provide access to dental care in rural northern Michigan for patients in need through faith-based community partnerships. Dr. McMahan is currently the only endodontic specialist within a 70-mile radius of his office.  

Dr. Jeff Dzingle and his practice partner Dr. Patrick Mullally (currently Michigan Endodontists Association president) of Lake Michigan Endodontics with three offices in western Michigan, participate in three different pro bono programs: Delta Dental’s Healthy Kids; Volunteer For Dental in which low income patients earn credits toward free dental services through community service hours and an oral health education class; and a local chapter of Love In Action, a faith-based network which operates a community medical and dental clinic among other services. Their practice frequently sees up to a pro bono case a day. 

Dr. Sue Suh founded Smile Unto Him, a comprehensive free dental clinic in Riverside, CA serving low-income veterans and seniors. She devotes 40% of her practice income to help fund the clinic, working there every Saturday and by offering endodontic CE courses to local general dentists. More than 30 volunteer providers include dentists and dental students. The clinic’s current space has three chairs and two microscopes; Dr. Suh is working on securing new space that would increase the operatory to 10 chairs. 

With leadership from Dr. Jacqueline Allen, the Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation organizes three Arizona Mission of Mercy clinics annually in the Phoenix Veterans Memorial Coliseum to provide free dental treatment to low-income working-poor families, unemployed or uninsured individuals, veterans, seniors, and homeless residents. Some patients haven’t eaten solid food for years, many were unable to find a job while lacking a “professional appearance” or having difficulty speaking due to their poor oral health. Up to 1800 patients are being treated a year. Among nearly 300 dentist volunteers, joining Dr. Allen to provide endodontic treatments are AAE members Drs. Bradley Gettleman, Robert Roda, Ian Bennett, Paul Kogan, Susan Wood, Ryan Engelberg, Betty Schindler, Edward Carlson, Kip Sterling, Mohammed Elseed, Kevin Axx, Colin Clatnoff, and Steven Richardson.