LLU School of Dentistry Journal

Fourth-year dental students awarded grants from Dental Foundation of California

Posing with Fred Kasischke, DMin, assistant dean, admissions and service learning (left), are fourth-year dental students Brian Hanratty, (second from left), Eunice Hong, and Jack Kavanagh. The students were among nine students awarded grants from the Dental Foundation of California.

Brian Hanratty, Eunice Hong, and Jack Kavanagh, were among nine fourth-year dental students from three Southern California dental schools to receive grants from Dental Foundation of California. The students were chosen by Loma Linda University, University of California Los Angeles, and University of Southern California based on their participation in student leadership, community service, and academic and clinical performance.

Dental Foundation of California was formed in the late 1960s by five Los Angeles-based component dental societies of the California and American Dental Associations: Harbor, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and Western Los Angeles.

In the mid-1960s dental societies had a “post payment” program allowing patients to pay for services on a time payment plan. In order to provide for the program, dentists had a two percent withholding from their fees.

When the program ended, remaining monies funded the Dental Foundation of California, providing scholarships to students to promote their involvement in organized dentistry.

Dental Foundation of California has since expanded its funding to charitable organizations identified within each component dental society boundary.

Representatives from five dental societies serve as the board of directors for Dental Foundation of California and administer the organization’s activities and funds.