A Case Today Secures Tomorrow Quick Facts

What is A Case Today Secures Tomorrow
program?

This is a $2 million fundraising effort to raise monies for dental education in Illinois through the ISDS Foundation.

Why does Illinois need this program?

  • Dental education is responsible for upholding the integrity of dentistry as a trusted health care profession. Yet, it faces enormous challenges in fulfilling that responsibility.

  • The physical facilities in which dental education is delivered must be improved. Operating costs for dental schools are among the highest on university campuses, and investment by universities in their dental schools has failed to keep pace with the need. Persistent faculty shortages threaten the future of dental education and curriculum development.

  • Additionally, dental education is becoming unaffordable. Tuition costs and post-graduate debt may prevent talented students from lower-income families and under-represented minorities from pursuing dental careers. The cost issue is also a barrier for graduates to choose dental education over a more lucrative private-practice career.

  • Without a solid educational infrastructure in place in Illinois, the long-held standards of excellence in dental education and, subsequently, dental care are at risk.

How will the funds raised be used?

Monies raised through the campaign will be used to build an endowment, and the earnings will be used to support dental education at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry and Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. The effort is part of the ADA's national Our Legacy Our Future campaign. All monies raised in Illinois remain in Illinois.


How does A Case Today Secures Tomorrow fit into the national effort?

The ADA Foundation launched its national campaign Dental Education: Our Legacy Our Future as an aggressive effort to support dental schools throughout the nation. The $1 Billion total goal has an initial target of $500 Million by 2014 as the professionÕs effort to help dental schools meet extreme funding challenges now and into the future. Through its partners, in Illinois the ISDS Foundation and Illinois State Dental Society, monies raised will be kept in the states for their own schools and credited toward the national campaign goals.

What can I do?

ISDS member dentists are asked to pledge the amount of one dental treatment case (minimum $1,000) each year to the campaign through 2014. Donations can be made directly from the dentist to the ISDS Foundation or patients can donate the fee that they would pay for treatment directly to the ISDS Foundation, rather than paying the dentist.

What are the tax benefits?

The ISDS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and donations are tax deductible. As a donating dentist, you can receive the deduction. If your patient donates, she/he can receive the deduction.
(Please contact your personal tax advisor.)

Why should I give?

You have the unique opportunity to take action. Illinois' dental education system must be strengthened and made more dynamic. And it must happen now. It will require energetic leadership, support and a willingness to embrace needed change by the dental profession, the dental education community, and beyond.

Who do I contact?
Contact Tess Fyalka or Bob Rechner at 800/475-4737.