Certificate of Recognition For Volunteer Service in a Foreign Country

• Introduction
• Criteria for the Certificate of Recognition for Volunteer Service in a Foreign Country
• Downloadable Application Forms

Introduction

The Committee on International Programs and Development, a standing committee of the American Dental Association’s Board of Trustees believes that the personal effort and self-sacrifice of Association members who serve as volunteers in lesser developed countries to improve the health of their peoples merit professional and public appreciation and recognition. Their service, in the Committee’s view, is not only a contribution to the advancement of public health but to the creation of friendship and good will among professionals, though a small corps to date, constitute a mighty force for realization of the foregoing goals, since good health is basic to the enjoyment of all. The Committee will award a certificate of recognition, the presentation to be governed by the following criteria:

1. The name of the award shall be Certificate of Recognition for Volunteer Service in a Foreign Country.
2. The recipient must:
   • be an active, life, student or retired member of the American Dental Association;
   • have served in a foreign country in a program sponsored by a dental school, church or other recognized voluntary or nonprofit organization for a minimum of 14 days, either in one period or in several visits, in any 24-month period;
   • have rendered dental service and taught dental personnel or assisted in training some native personnel to perform emergency treatment;
   • supply evidence of the dates of the service with a comprehensive, detailed breakdown of activities and the value of the contribution by means of a letter or testimonial from the director of the program or other appropriate official (For student members working in a dental school program this requirement shall be the responsibility of the dean or director of the outreach program);
   • be nominated by a component or constituent society, federal dental service or dental school;
   • be verified in writing to be a member in good standing by the component society, if such exists, or by the constituent society or commanding officer or dean of the dental school as appropriate.
3. Component and constituent societies are invited to nominate their members (by March 31) who have served as volunteers during the preceding year. The nominations must be made on a special form available from the Center for International Development and Affairs and must be accompanied by evidence of service as outlined in paragraph 2.
4. Nominations will be reviewed by the Committee on International Programs and Development.
5. The recipients will be announced within 60 days of the Committee’s meeting and the certificates will be presented to the recipients at meetings of the nominating component or constituent societies whenever feasible.
6. A certificate may be awarded to the same individual more than once.

   Program approved by the House of Delegates in 1974 (Trans. 1974:699); criteria amended in 1976 (Trans. 1976:925); and in 1986 (Trans. 1986:513); and Resolution 28-H, 2002, placed the program under the auspices of the Committee on International Development and Programs.

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Criteria for the Certificate of Recognition for Volunteer Service in a Foreign Country

The aim of the volunteer should be to improve the availability of health care on a continuing basis through activities that will have a lasting effect. It is suggested, therefore, that the volunteer:

• make an effort to train native personnel, to teach preventive procedures, to perform some emergency services and to repair equipment;
• encourage other dentists to go on follow-up visits;
• be cautious about accepting used equipment for taking or shipment overseas since it may not be useful in the particular area or since parts may not be available;
• work in an established program if possible, i.e., one that has been accepted in the country by the appropriate government officials and by the health professions, if the later exist, rather than “go on your own;” if none exists, attempt to establish a program with appropriate sponsorship, such as dental, church or civic organizations, for the sake of continuity;
• if entering a country for the first time, go through official and professional channels to make certain that the activity will be well received;
• advise the Center for International Development and Affairs when going to a country as a volunteer since the Center can provide helpful information;
• be aware of his/her role as an ambassador of good will for the United States of America.

  From 1975 Annual Report of the Council on International Relations of the American Dental Association to the ADA Board of Trustees and House of Delegates (Trans. 1975:136).

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Downloadable Application Forms

• Application for Certificate of Recognition for Volunteer Service in a Foreign Country
  | PDF file/67k
• Dental Student Application for Certificate of Recognition for Volunteer Service in a Foreign Country | PDF file/66k

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