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PROJECT: DENTISTS CARE > Volunteer Info
Project: Dentists Care (PDC) is a dental access to care program established and supported by the Florida Dental Association (FDA). It consists of a community of dentists who volunteer their time and services to provide a safety net of preventive and restorative dental care to those in greatest need.
The mission of PDC is to establish dental-access programs statewide. One such project is PDC's DENTAL EQUIPMENT CLEARINGHOUSE, where dental practitioners may donate dental equipment. Patients who receive services under PDC are typically low-income individuals who do not qualify for public assistance but have the greatest unmet needs. Monies to conduct PDC projects come from special events fundraisers, public and private grants. The FDA’s charitable organization, the Florida Dental Health Foundation (FDHF) is a major supporter of PDC.
PDC member chapters are in the process of being established in county/multi-county areas and service the needy in those areas. In addition to the member chapters, PDC also consists of associate members who are private non profit organizations that offer dental services to eligible underserved population groups.Each PDC chapter has a coordinator who works within a local dental association’s organizational structure to recruit volunteer dentists to provide pro-bono or reduced fee dental care to eligible indivduals. PDC Coordinators - please click here for more information.
Many PDC chapters have opted to have their volunteers join the Florida Department of Health’s Volunteer Health Care Provider Program (VHCPP). This program provides sovereign immunity, workers’ compensation, and the opportunity to earn a biennial licensure fee waiver by providing substantial pro-bono care.
PDC volunteers can apply to participate in the VHCPP by completing forms provided by their DOH district VHCPP coordinator. When the process is complete, the dentists become agents of the state under the Department of Health. PDC chapters also designate patient eligibility screeners who are trained by VHCPP staff to screen, approve and refer eligible patients.
Project: Dentists Care is a Board of Dentistry approved program which allows licensed dentists and dental hygienests an opportunit to earn CE credit for the provision of pro-bono dental care. Currently PDC dentists can receive up to 5 hours CE credit each biennium at the rate of one credit hour for every 3 hours of pro-bono dental care.
PDC has received the American Dental Association’s Golden Apple Award for “Excellence in Dental Health Promotion.” In Florida, this project is a key example of how state government programs; private health care practitioners and non profit dental organizations can work together to improve the health of their local communities.
