Minnesota
Local Hero: Dr. W.

As the president of the Minnesota Dental Association, Dr. W. is constantly on the go, and wherever he finds himself, he promotes the DDS program. The Minnesota native, who has been in practice for 41 years, has been a DDS volunteer since the program started in the state. He currently heads up the program statewide, and he also remains a hands-on volunteer. “We just finished treatment of a young man who had some mental limitations,” he says. “His oral hygiene wasn’t the best, and his oral health had deteriorated significantly. We were able to repair a lot of the teeth and restore them with fillings and crowns. He is taking better care of his oral hygiene now, and he was obviously appreciative to the best of his ability.  It’s the sort of reward that you can’t get from monetary sources.” Minnesota’s dentists and dental laboratories have provided nearly $1 million of care through DDS. “Not only is there a great need, but it’s also a way for us to give back to the community,” says Dr. W. “What I like about this program is that it’s in my office with my equipment, my staff and my materials. I have control over the patients I see. This is where I can be the most productive and do the most good.”