ADA News

In response to a recent tax and financial report, the ADA Foundation Board of Directors voted at its July meeting to cancel the Health Screening Program for the 2010 annual session in Orlando.

According to ADAF President Arthur A. Dugoni, the Board was reluctant to take this action since HSP registration was already under way, but ultimately arrived at the decision because it felt compelled to take a step back and evaluate all of its programs and activities to make sure they align with the Foundation's mission and status as a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

In a letter to members of the ADA councils on Scientific Affairs and ADA Sessions, Dr. Ron Tankersley, ADA president, explained that the $250,000 needed to cover the Health Screening Program wasn't in the ADA budget, and that it was unlikely that revenue from the 2010 meeting would be able to cover the expense.

"This situation leaves no reliable source to fund the HSP in 2010," he wrote. "The ADA Board looks forward to receiving suggestions from the Council on Scientific Affairs, the Council on ADA Sessions and others regarding the resumption of the HSP in 2011 as an ADA program, which will allow a new emphasis on the program's benefit to members as well as its continuing value as a leading source of research on the health and safety of the dental team."

All health screening registrations will automatically be cancelled, and refunds will be issued by Aug. 13 to anyone who paid for additional screenings.

For the background on the tax and financial report on the ADA Foundation, visit www.ada.org/news/4537.aspx.