Enacted since 1965, the Lake County Dental Society (LCDS) includes Lake and Sumter Counties.  LCDS is an affiliate of the Central Florida District Dental Association (CFDDA) which serves as a component group of the Florida Dental Association (FDA), a constituent association under the national organization, the American Dental Association (ADA).  The CFDDA is comprised of the following affiliate societies:  Alachua, Brevard, Greater Orlando, Lake, Marion and Volusia. 

The goal of the Lake County Dental Society is to:

• Encourage the improvement of the oral health of the public of whom we serve,
• Advance the art and science of dentistry on local, state and national levels, and 
• Advocate ethical conduct and the highest standard of professional care through service, communication, continuing education, and leadership.

DENTISTS:  Welcome!  We encourage you to browse our new website.  Please mark as a favorite and check back often as the site is updated frequently and regularly due to ongoing events and changes.  Please note the dates of the upcoming meetings by referring to the new 2007-08 Meetings & Events calendar.  There are many issues that we are working on ... so please refer to the Dental Newsbites Section under Dentists.  We encourage you to join us at our next general membership meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2008 for Staff Appreciation Night.  Please RSVP early (via email or return fax reminder) so dinner can be reserved for you.                            

                 **  2008 GIVE KIDS A SMILE (GKAS) Event **                                CALL FOR DENTIST VOLUNTEERS!   Last year 26 GKAS volunteers provided $26,470 in pro bono dental services to 40 Lake County children.  Again, we are requesting that each volunteer agree to provide comprehensive dental care to at least 2 pre-screened, underprivileged children in their own private offices.  (Requests for age preferences and limitation in services will be accomodated.)  Each hour of pro bono work will be awarded 1 CEU (maximum 7 CEU via pro bono work/biennium).  Diagnosis and treatment will be at the sole discretion of the treating dentist.  Local media will be invited to report this event.  Thank you for your generous time and talents in supporting PDC-GKAS, our local communities, the profession and more importantly ... making a real and meaningful impact in the oral health of these children who may not have otherwise received dental care.  For more information or to sign-up, please email us or call GKAS-PDC Coordinator Dr. Lisa Yurkiewicz at 352-241-4884.

           **  OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A DENTIST VOLUNTEER  **                 If you are interested in offering limited or occasional pro bono dental services to a much deserving patient or family in your private office (on YOUR terms, without the paperwork, while qualifying for CE credit and sovereign immunity, the diagnosis & treatment determined by you, without long-term commitment AND without specific or expected frequency, duration or volume of patients), please email us or contact Dr. Lisa Yurkiewicz for more information and details.

HEALTHY ATHLETES / SPECIAL SMILES Program is in need of dentists and hygienists to be trained as Dental Clinic Directors at area and state Special Olympics games.  This training is only available once a year, usually in November.  Volunteer Directors will be trained in the protocol for venue set up, use of screening form and oriented regarding treating patients with intellectual disabilities.  Meals and lodging expenses are reimbursed.  Travel expenses can be requested.  To participate, please contact Eunice Garbutt at eunicegarbutt@sofl.org or call (352) 243-9536.  If you are not able to volunteer for the day event or attend training as Dental Clinic Director, but you would be willing to see patients who have special health care needs, please contact Eunice Garbutt or Nancy Sawyer.  Only 12 Florida dentists have registered as providers.  This is not pro bono care, as most families have dental insurance and are able to pay for dental services.  For more information about Healthy Athletes, please visit www.SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org/HealthyAthletes to watch a short video and to click on each of the six disciplines.

                   E-MAIL:  info@lakecountydentalsociety.org

(Please be advised that our site is still 'evolving and taking shape.'  Meanwhile, we encourage you to communicate with us regarding your concerns, questions and suggestions.  Please check back frequently as we update our site on a regular basis with timely and relevant information.)

                                        Last Update: April 14, 2008