The Louisiana Dental Association, in response to the needs of more than 700 dentists who practice in those Louisiana parishes hardest hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, have set up the LA Dental Disaster Recovery Fund.
The fund assists Louisiana dentists who have been victimized by a natural disaster, and are set up to provide a small measure of immediate financial assistance.
"The tragedy unfolding along the Gulf Coast is of staggering proportions. This fund is set up to provide Louisiana dentists affected by this disaster with immediate funds for food, clothing and shelter while they begin to rebuild their lives," said Dr. Timothy Perry, LDA President.
"I would also like to thank my fellow dentists, as well as dental associations from around the country who have contributed to this recovery fund. Your support is remarkable and commendable and is an investment in the future of dentistry in our state," added Perry.
Donations are tax deductible and can be made by mailing a contribution to the LDA office at 7833 Office Park Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 or calling (800) 388-6642 or (225) 926-1986 to charge a donation to a VISA or MasterCard. Checks should be made payable to the LA Dental Disaster Recovery Fund.
Dentists who would like to apply can download an application by going to the LDA web site at www.ladental.org. Other resources available for dentists on the LDA web site include emergency rules related to tax relief, other grant information from the American Dental Association, job placement opportunities, housing assistance information, other dental-related web sites, licensure information, contacts for major insurance carriers and government entities, resources for small businesses, updates on the LSU School of Dentistry, counseling information and much more.
Lovelace and Associates, Inc. has also developed a web site for dentists to register their temporary or new information so that patients are able to find them. Dentists and patients can access this information by going to www.findyourdentist.org. Another site specifically geared towards assisting affected dentists is www.ada.org.
