Leadership named for $500 million dental education fundraising effort
CHICAGO--Arthur A. Dugoni, DDS, dean, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific and president of the American Dental Association Foundation Board of Directors, will serve as honorary chairman of a national campaign for dental education.
This national effort will help raise awareness of the challenges facing dental education and aid in generating financial support, totaling an estimated $500 million.
"This national, collaborative effort is unique among professions," Dr. Dugoni said. "Through this campaign, dental practitioners, educators, industry and others will join together to secure the future of dental education. Together we will raise funds that will be used to foster a stronger, more secure, dynamic dental education system and by doing so, will help to improve America's oral health."
Dr. Dugoni joins national co-chairs, Cecile Feldman, DMD, dean, New Jersey Dental School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Richard Haught, DDS, immediate past president of the American Dental Association, in guiding the campaign efforts.
Drs. Feldman and Haught will focus their attention on increasing support of the effort from the entire dental community.
"Our dental education system is facing significant challenges," Dr. Feldman said. "We all have a stake in its continued success, and this national campaign demonstrates that."
Added Dr. Haught, "We hope to foster a culture of philanthropy within dentistry by this innovative, umbrella campaign. By working together, the partner organizations of the national campaign will inspire more donors to invest in dental education, which will further enhance America's oral health."
The national campaign is a collaborative effort of the ADA Foundation and its partners, including dental schools, organized dentistry, dental industry and third-party payers to raise approximately $500 million by 2014. Each partner will set its own fundraising goal.
The ADA Foundation's goal is $100 million to support innovation in dental education in which portions of the money will be used to fund innovative models of dental education.
Preparation for the campaign is well underway and will officially kick off in July. To become a partner in the national campaign for dental education and its fundraising effort, call Barkley Payne, ADAF Senior Director, at (312) 440-2547.
