In the event of a catastrophic hurricane hitting the West coast of Florida, please be aware of the goals of the WCDDA are:

1. To assist dentists displaced from their residences and offices. (See ADA/FDA information below)

2. Provide a database and clearinghouse for dentists whose offices are inoperable and provide a database of dentists willing to share office space.

3. To provide a database and clearinghouse for patients requiring emergency dental care and/or who are in active treatment in the hardest hit areas.

4. To provide dental ID/information records per request of FEMA, FDLE, or medical examiner for forensic identification.

5. To facilitate contributions from dental corporations and members regarding dental supplies and emergency dental care.

6. To provide information regarding the potability of water in the dental office and home care resulting from the storm.

MASS DISASTERS ARE UNEXPECTED, CATASTROPHIC EVENTS AFFECTING OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WE KNOW. THE WCDDA IS COMMITTED TO HELP COORDINATE EFFORTS BETWEEN FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCIES.

Financial assistance for dentists:

Florida Dental Health Foundation – When a natural disaster strikes the Foundation is prepared to help dentists whose offices were destroyed. Grants and loans are available from the FDHF’s Disaster Fund to help dentists financially. There are two types of grants available. Please contact the Florida Dental Association, 1-800-877-9922 or the West Coast office, 1-800-260-5277 for an application and more information. You do not have to be a member of organized dentistry to apply.

Waiver of dues – An additional support mechanism available to members of the ADA and FDA is the waiver of 2005 membership dues due to financial hardship. Please print the following forms:

• FDA Dues Waiver
• ADA Dues Waiver
  

or contact the Florida Dental Association, 1-800-877-9922 and request a waiver of membership dues form.

Through the West Coast Office:

The West Coast is developing a database for dentists who:

1. Need help!
2. Have dental office space available for a colleague to use temporarily.
3. Have a patient/patients needing urgent dental care but are unable to treat at this time.
4. Job placement for dentists, hygienists, assistants and office staff.

CONTACT THE WEST COAST – 813-931-3018

Please call the West Coast if you need help or with any information you may have about a colleague who needs help. The central office with the support of unaffected WCDDA members will do everything possible to assist you during this time of need.

ADA/FDA/WCDDA/AGD

http://www.floridadental.org/foundation/disaster.html (FDHF - Florida's Dental Charity - FDA)
http://www.floridadental.org/foundation/documents/disaster/FDHF-DisasterHandbook05-screen.pdf (FDA 5 Step Guide for Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
http://www.ada.org/prof/hurricane/index.asp (ADA.org: Hurricane Relief)
http://forums.agd.org/agd_Katrina/start (AGD.org: Hurricane Response)

State of Florida

http://www.fldfs.com/ (Florida Dept. of Financial Services)
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/ (Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement)
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/res/district_er.htm (Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection)
http://www.myflorida.com/ (State of Florida Information Center)
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ (Florida Department of Health)
http://floridadisaster.org/County_EM/county_list.htm (disaster relief information by county)
http://www.lee-county.com/healthdept/data/generators.htm (Generators and Hurricanes)
http://www.rmis.rmfamily.com/sites/disasrelie.php (resources that provide disaster relief)

Federal Government

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp (Centers for Disease Control)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/ (Disaster Mental Health Resources)
https://www.disasterhelp.gov/ (Disaster Help)
http://www.hhs.gov/emergency/index.shtml( (HHS - Disasters & Emergencies)
http://www.firstgov.gov/Government/State_Local/Disasters.shtml(State and Local Employees: Disasters and Emergencies on FirstGov.gov)
http://www.ready.gov/ (Ready.gov - From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/hurricanes.html (Hurricanes; Natural Events; EPA)
http://www.fema.gov

Other ways to help:

American Red Cross – 1-800-HELP-NOW or www.redcross.org
Salvation Army – 1-800-996-2769 or www.salvationarmyusa.org
Volunteer Florida – 1-800-354-3571 or www.volunteerflorida.org
SunTrust Banks and Wal-Mart are accepting donations – contact one nearest you.

Many of these organizations accept online donations via credit card, checks, stock donations and even unused frequent flier miles. Make sure to earmark the donation to the Florida Disaster Relief Funds.

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