August 2025 Monthly Byte

ISDS FOUNDATION RAFFLE!

Enter the 2025 ISDS Foundation Sweepstakes to win BIG! Three prizes will be awarded on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the ISDS Annual Session. The winner does not need to be present to win!

Click here to enter!

1st place: $2,000

2nd place: $1000

3rd place: $500

2025 Scholarships and Awards

To learn more about this year's winners, click here!

Foundation announces the 2025 Scholarship winners

Each year, the ISDS Foundation’s scholarship selection process shines a spotlight on the next generation of dental leaders—students whose curiosity, compassion, and insight promise to reshape the future of oral health in Illinois.

This year, from a remarkable pool of 37 applicants representing all three dental schools in the state, six students—two from each institution—rose to the top.

It was a year of firsts, too: for the first time, every single winner was female. The announcement signals a quiet but powerful shift in the faces shaping the future of dentistry.

ISDS Foundation awards $27,000 to Illinois Dental Schools

The ISDS Foundation’s Dental Education Endowment Fund: “Our Legacy, Our Future” program earmarked $9,000 from its endowment’s earnings for each dental school in Illinois in 2025.

The ISDS Foundation Board requested a “wish list” from each dental school administration and asked them to identify where these requested funds would be most needed for each educational program to succeed and most visible to those donating to the endowment. Below is the list of schools awarded this year:

UIC College of Dentistry - $9,000

SIU School of Dental Medicine - $9,000

Midwestern University College

of Dental Medicine - IL - $9,000

Find out more about the dental schools awards here!

Click here for the list of Foundation grant winners!

Announcement of the 2025 ISDS Foundation Community

Grant Winners

The ISDSF distributes Community Grants each year in various amounts to applicants residing in the State of Illinois and to such projects that benefit the people of Illinois.

Priority is given to proposals that have measurable improvement goals, show strong community support for the project, and are innovative. The grant program attracted the interest of 25 worthwhile organizations actively working to expand access to oral health care services to needy individuals around the state.

This year, $75,000 in grant money was awarded to 16 organizations for projects aimed at providing access to dental care and increasing oral health awareness and education.

Thank you to the following

2025 Golf Outing Sponsors

Closest to the Pin Sponsor - $1,000: Independent Dental Solutions

Longest Drive Sponsor - $1,000: Herzing University

Longest Putt Sponsor - $1,000: Delta Dental of Illinois

Drink Ticket Sponsor - $1,000: Springfield Periodontics and Dental Implants - Dr. Ravi Juluri

Golf Hole Sponsors - $350

Dr. Timmothy and Mrs. Christine Schwartz

Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Christine Culp

Dr. Donald Rastede

Dr. Ken Rawson

Dr. Susan Doroshow

Dr. Brad and Mrs. Becky Barnes - Barnes Dental Associates

Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Vicki Sullivan
Hamel Dental

Danner Family Dentistry

Barkley Endodontics

Bloomington Family Dental

The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC)

"THEE" McHenry County Dental Society

McLean County Dental Society

Peoria District Dental Society

G.V. Black District Dental Society

ISDS FOUNDATION

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Assistance Program Provides Lifeline to Dentists in Need

The Dentists Support Program provides a referral system for dentists who are struggling with the problem of alcohol or substance abuse and are in need of treatment assistance.

With just one call, the dentist, family member or friend can request help from the program. It is completely anonymous and takes just a couple of minutes.

24-hour confidential cell phone: 312/318-8810 or 708/287-4132. You may also contact

Dr. Bill Hamel or Dr. Tom Sullivan for more information.

Having Financial Hardships Due to Natural Disasters?

If you’re facing financial hardship due to a natural disaster or other unforeseen crisis, the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation’s Dentist Relief Fund is here to help.

Disabled dentists and their families, as well as spouses and dependents of deceased dentists, may be eligible for assistance through this program. The primary purpose is to provide emergency and temporary aid to dentists.

When circumstances demonstrate an unusual need, dependents of dentists can also benefit. Contact the Foundation for more information.

SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS!

Text Alert Platform for the ISDS Foundation

Stay up to date on all the latest ISDS Foundation news by signing up for the new text alert platform! to sign up, click here.