Volunteer Opportunities
Benefits of Volunteering
● Personal growth: Expand your skills, knowledge, and professional network.
● Community impact: Witness the direct impact of your efforts on the lives of individuals and families.
● Sense of fulfillment: Experience the joy of giving back and of making a positive difference.
● Networking opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals and build relationships within the dental community.
● Recognition: Receive recognition for your valuable contributions through certificates and appreciation events.
Volunteer Organizations
Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
COMOM is a large-scale dental clinic that is held annually in a Colorado community. With more than 100 portable dental chairs, dental services are provided to children, adults, and the elderly who cannot afford dental care or who do not have access to dental care. The fall 2024 clinic will be in Thornton.
COMOM needs volunteer dentists, dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, billing coders, front office staff, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and massage therapists. Community individuals are also welcome to volunteer and will serve as escorts or to help with patient registration, volunteer registration, exit interviews, data entry, or with a variety of tasks to help make COMOM successful.
For more information or to register to volunteer, go to comom.org.
Mission Medical Clinic, a 501(c)3, faith-based clinic
Location: E. La Salle, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Contact: Zelna Joseph at 719-219-3402
Mission Medical Clinic, a 501(c)3, is a faith-based clinic offering free dental care to adult individuals who fall 250% below the national poverty level. These people are likely to be neighbors, friends, or acquaintances who receive disability or retirement incomes but do not qualify for a Medicaid dental benefit. All care is provided by compassionate, well-qualified, licensed volunteers. Mission’s dental clinic need dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, receptionists, and lab techs who are willing to share their expertise for four hours per month.
Dental Lifeline Network (DLN)
Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) provides comprehensive dental care to adults with special needs, including the elderly or those who are medically compromised. Patients are treated in the dentist’s office when it is convenient. To volunteer, visit dentallifeline.org or call 303-534-5360.
Health Fairs, Career Fairs, Speaking to Schools
The CSDS partners with several organizations to include dental screenings in area health fairs held in the Pikes Peak region. Likewise, schools frequently request speakers, particularly during Dental Health Month in February, for basic dental care information, for information on chewing tobacco and on tongue piercing, and for careers in the dental field.
Bob Telmosse Holiday Give Away:
Just People Helping People
The CSDS is the only health organization to have a booth at this annual event where attendees are provided with gift bags of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. Free dental screenings are offered. Dentists and staff are needed to prepare and to man the booth annually on the Saturday before Christmas. Dentists and their helpers register through the CSDS office.
Sharon Fabrizius helps Dr. Pete Myer examine a reluctant patient’s teeth.
Stickers are always a hit!
Dr. Corban Stettler charms attendees at the dental booth.
The Grinch waits his turn for his dental exam from Dr. Ron Palmer.
Your Professional Associations
Colorado Springs Dental Society
● Volunteer to serve on one of these committees: Programs and Events, Membership and New Dentists, Public and Professional Relations, Technology and Social Media, and Budget. Non-board members are welcome to participate.
● Volunteer to help deliver treats to area police departments on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in May.
● Volunteer to serve on the board of directors, starting with a year-one, learning position.
● Volunteer to represent the CSDS as a delegate at the one-day event for the CDA’s House of Delegates. (May 4, 2024)
Call Sharyn at 719- 598-5161 to volunteer, unless indicated otherwise.
Colorado Dental Association
● Volunteer to serve on one of their councils: Membership; Government Relations; Finance; New Dentists; Peer Review, Ethics, and Conduct.
● Serve on one of their committees or task forces: CERP Advisory, CODPAC, Small Donor; Medicaid, Dental Assistant Scope of Care, and Workforce.
