Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

from joint replacements. “For these people, the alternative to dental therapy and subsequent treatment for their medical condi- tions is a path to progressive illness or premature death,” said Leviton. “The DTA is invaluable in provid- ing resources to help us address an increasing need for dental care among vulnerable people with acute medical conditions and dental dis- ease.” DT The Dental Trade Alliance has been honored with an award for its significant contributions to Donated Dental Services (DDS), a program of Dental Lifeline Network. The award was accepted by Gary Price as DDS celebrated its 25th anniversary dur- ing the recent 2011 National Associa- tion of Dental Laboratories Vision 21 Meeting in Las Vegas. Presenting the award was Den- tal Lifeline Network President Fred Leviton. Formerly known as the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, Dental Life- line Network is a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association. Through DDS and other programs, the organization provides compre- hensive dental care to people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically at-risk and has a nation- wide volunteer network of 15,000 dentists and 3,200 laboratories that contribute more than $22 million worth of needed services annually, including nearly $2 million in fabri- cations. “Without the outstanding sup- port of the DTA, DDS could never have reached today’s milestone of providing dental therapies valued at $187 million to 101,000 people in 50 states,” Leviton noted. “The DTA has been instrumental in linking us with the dental trade industry, providing incalculable value in our ability to serve the needs of vulnerable people nationwide. We are profoundly grate- ful to the alliance, its foundation and to our colleagues in the industry.” In addition to serving vulnerable individuals with disabilities or who are elderly, Dental Lifeline Network has seen a rapidly increasing need for dental services among people who are medically at risk. Dental dis- ease and acute need for care impact people with cancer who cannot receive chemotherapy, those with autoimmune diseases who cannot be administered lifesaving medica- tions, cardiac patients who cannot be treated surgically, candidates for organ transplants and people with crippling arthritis who are prevented DENTAL TRIBUNE | May 2011 News 5A AD Dental Trade Alliance recognized for outstanding contributions to DDS Gary Price, second from left, accepted an award to the Dental Trade Alliance from Fred Leviton of Dental Lifeline Network, formerly the National Founda- tion of Dentistry for the Handicapped. The award was presented at the 2011 National Association of Dental Laboratories Vision 21 Meeting. Pictured, left from right, are Kim Solomon, Nobel Biocare; Gary Price; Cathy Bon- ser, Dentsply International; Kevin Mahan, Jensen Industries; Leviton; Andy Ravid, Argen; Pat Segnere, Ivoclar Vivadent; Wayne Ledford, Ivoclar Viva- dent; Katherin Galvin, Biomet 3i and Tate Robb, Biomet 3i. Also recognized was 3M ESPE (not pictured). (Photo/Provided by Dental Trade Alliance)