Chicago Dental Society Donated $1.7 million to Support Access to Care Programs, Dental Education in 2008

CHICAGO, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 2008, the Chicago Dental Society, a membership organization for dentists in Cook, Lake and DuPage Counties, granted $1.7 million to foundations, clinics, students and a local college to support efforts to improve dental health for all Illinoisans.

The lion's share of this total, $1.5 million, was earmarked for the new Chicago Dental Society Foundation, which is charged with providing a stable source of income to dental education programs and dental clinics through private and corporate fundraising.

Grant recipients also include programs serving families and the disabled, as well as training programs for dental hygienists and scholarships to students at the University of Illinois-Chicago and Southern Illinois University, the state's two remaining dental schools.

CDS President Dr. David Kumamoto says, "In these tough times, support for our local dental programs is even more crucial. We at CDS are proud to lead the charge in supporting programs that improve oral health care in Illinois."

Since establishing a grant program in 2001, the CDS Board of Directors has authorized 79 grants, totaling more than $4.6 million, and 837 scholarships, totaling more than $460,000. Beginning in 2009, the Chicago Dental Society Foundation will take over grant-making for the society. However, the core mission of funding initiatives that strengthen dental education and dental care remains unchanged.

Established in 1864, the Chicago Dental Society has more than 4,000 members in the Chicago area, making it the largest component society of the Illinois State Dental Society and the American Dental Association.

More information on the Web

The Chicago Dental Society: www.cds.org

The Chicago Dental Society's grant program: www.cds.org/about/grants

The Chicago Dental Society Foundation: www.chicagodentalsocietyfoundation.org

Complete list of grant recipients for 2008:

Advocate Charitable Foundation, $2,000

Alivio Medical Center, $5,000

Chicago Dental Society Foundation, $1.5 million

Community Nurse Health Association, $10,000

DuPage Community Clinic, $10,000

Erie Family Health Center, $10,000

Free People's Clinic, $10,000

Goldie's Place Dental Clinic, $2,000

Illinois Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, $10,000

Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, $2,000

Near North Health Services, $2,000

Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation, $10,000

Oak Park and River Forest Infant Welfare Society, $10,000

Prairie State College's Dental Hygiene Program, $9,421.50

Racing Industry Charitable Foundation, $5,000

St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center Dental Clinic, $10,000

Scholarships, $108,500

SOURCE Chicago Dental Society

RELATED LINKS
http://www.cds.org/