Sharing a Culture of Giving Back

Burkhart shares a culture of giving back. With our 18 branch locations spanning as far east as Oklahoma, all the way west to our Washington headquarters, we enjoy the opportunity to support the communities in which we live and work.

Our Charitable Giving Board was formed by President Lori Burkhart Isbell in 2010. The Board is charged with reviewing opportunities in each of our geographic locations to support efforts in fighting world poverty through the support of small business and dental industry foundation work.

Colorado Mission of Mercy

The Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) is a large-scale dental clinic held annually in a Colorado community. With 125 portable dental chairs, dental services are provided to adults, elderly, and children, who cannot afford dental care. An outpouring of nearly 200 volunteer dentists from across the state—along with hundreds of dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, and a myriad of lay volunteers and other health professionals – work in tandem with community groups and agencies to better the oral health of individuals who come to the clinic. During the first 11 years of the program, COMOM has served 14,000 patients and provided $12,000,000 in donated dental care.

Texas Mission of Mercy (TDA Smiles Foundation)

Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) is a mobile dental clinic that travels around the state providing free basic dental care to Texans with limited resources and/or access to care. Their volunteer dental professionals’ primary focus is on relieving pain and preventing infection by providing extractions, fillings, and cleanings. In limited cases, replacing missing front teeth or repairing partial dentures may be available to restore a smile. Burkhart was able to donate dental supplies, sterilizers, equipment service repair, and ten volunteers for one day at this veterans-only event. To learn more, visit www.tdasmiles.org.

Alaska Mission of Mercy

The Alaska Mission of Mercy (AKMOM) has provided over $4 million worth of dental care in the last four years. Over 3,200 volunteers have given their time over the two-day events toward serving over 4,200 underserved Alaskans. This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the wonderful doctors, organizations, and volunteers of the community.

D-Day for V-Day

D-Day for V-Day is a one-day event that provides free dental service to our veterans. Dr. Stan Lowrance, a Burkhart client, shuts down his practice to the public for one day and hosts this event at his practice in Rockwall, Texas. Burkhart was proud to support Dr. Lowrance, and donated dental supplies, sterilizers, EQ service repair, and volunteers.

AMEN Free Clinic, Boise

AMEN Boise is a free, first-come first-served clinic, with a goal of serving those who need help. The clinic supplies dental, vision, and medical care to nearly 1,500 people this year. There were 800 volunteers, ranging from doctors, dentists and general staff, to security. The Adventist Medical Evangelism Network or AMEN group helps organize these free clinics all across the United States, with a mission to “make a difference in our own backyard.”

Arizona Mission of Mercy (AZMOM)

The Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation (CADSF) hosted its 7th annual Dental Mission of Mercy (AZMOMs) event. About 1,800 volunteer dentists, hygienists, lab technicians, assistants and lay people provided approximately $2 million in free care to almost 2,000 patients on a first-come, first served basis. The dental professionals utilized 100 portable dental units to focus on relieving pain and infection. Dental services such as fillings, extractions, cleanings, as well as limited lab work was provided to patients of all ages.

Building Hope Today

Building Hope Today is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create awareness of the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse, reveal its lasting effects, and to safeguard those at risk on their path toward a hope-filled tomorrow. Matt and Lynne Morgan, Co-Founder’s, passion continues with the mantra save “Just One” child from experiencing sexual abuse. Through education, Building Hope Today will help families to recognize the signs of grooming, so we as a society can decrease the incidents of abuse in our own families and communities. Visit www.buildinghopetoday.org for more information on how you can help support their efforts.

Manos De Cristo

The mission of Manos de Cristo is to empower low-income individuals with a loving hand of assistance and without regard to age, gender, race, or religious preference. Manos de Cristo promotes dignity and self-reliance by meeting basic needs with food and clothing, providing essential oral care, and furthering educational development. They help with dental care, education, food, clothing, and more. Our Austin Branch was able to contribute and volunteer with a clothing drive event, where 2,000 underprivileged families were served.

University of Washington Dental School

The University of Washington School of Dentistry educates a diverse student body through a challenging learning environment. As part of a public university, their vision is to educate a progressive oral health workforce and develop community collaborations. In addition to bringing advances in science to address the pressing oral health needs of Washington State, the nation and the world. In order to accomplish their vision, they promote diversity in thinking and human resources and support creative breakthroughs. They also commit to ethical and responsible leadership in patient care, scholarship and research.

JBLM School Toy Drive

In December, we partner with Hillside Elementary School on Joint Base Lewis-McChord to gather gifts and gently-used clothing items for their Giving Closet. Toys, cold weather items, coats, and sweatshirts top the list of unwrapped gifts our Associates give to support the school’s pre-school through fifth-grade students. This school is home to many lower-enlisted military families with many of the children on the reduced or free lunch programs. Our incentive is the gift of giving, putting smiles on children’s and parents’ faces. 

The Good Neighbor Center

Santa’s elves come out to play during the holiday season in the Oregon Region. Teaming up with local non-profit The Good Neighbor Center, our Associates spread the holiday cheer in two ways. First, over three weeks, our Associates collected and wrapped gifts for two special Good Neighbor Center families. Second, a group of Associates gathered to cook and serve the nine families living at the Good Neighbor Center a hot meal.

Additional Ways We Give Back

In addition to our branches across the country supporting these generous programs, our corporate office proudly supports multiple charities throughout the year, including:

• Carol Milgard Breast Center
• Tacoma Public Library
• The Alzheimer’s Association
• Nations Midwifery

A sincere thank you to all of the doctors, teams, and individuals who give freely to support these worthwhile causes.