Community Dental Clinic: A Board’s Commitment to Mission

In recent years, Community Dental Clinic has seen rapid growth and mission expansion, multiplying its community partnerships and life-changing impact on dental service accessibility in Pinellas County.

When the Community Dental Clinic (CDC) opened its doors in 2013, it did so to address one of Pinellas County’s top social service needs — access to dental services. This new organization was also a tangible example of caring collaboration between The Salvation Army, Clearwater Free Clinic, and The Arc of Tampa Bay.

Eleven years later, the culture of responsiveness and caring continues. CDC has seen rapid growth and mission expansion, multiplying community partnerships and daily, life-changing impact. CDC’s impact on our community is easily seen yet underappreciated at times. In January 2024, the value of its client-related services was $249,000, which was a clear call to action.

The community was ready for CDC to scale up operations, as the need was apparent. Ruth and J.O. Stone recognized both the need and opportunity, so they purchased a building for CDC, offering them space without a mortgage!

To move forward, CDC needed a $5 million capital campaign to support building renovations and seed an endowment for sustainability over the long term. CDC Board Chair Bruce Livingston says, “It’s a joint effort; it’s important to all of us. If the board doesn’t commit to the mission, then how can the community commit?” However, the board had no one with the expertise to run a capital campaign, and the executive director didn’t have the resources. Bruce adds, “We needed a quarterback to direct our efforts and help us from making serious mistakes.”

The CDC team had always been small but mighty. Just a few paid staff members augmented the dental professionals who volunteered their time and talents. Bruce shares, “We couldn’t afford not to have a development person, but we had to sell the board on it being worth it. They understood the value and made the investment in Aurilla ‘Dee Dee’ Fusco.”

Expanding Comfort Zones

CDC Executive Director Theresa White drives home the importance of Bruce’s board leadership during the launch of the capital campaign, saying, “Our board was a little hesitant to ask for help. He and Dee Dee coached them up one-on-one. It was really important that they felt comfortable asking for money.” CDC couldn’t meet its goal if the board wasn’t comfortable, informed, and excited to share the mission with the community. Dee Dee shares, “This has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me, only because they are small but mighty. As a development director, it’s refreshing and awesome to see Bruce, Theresa, and the board have ideas; they will ask the hard questions.”

Busting Myths and Sharing Information

Dee Dee says most people misunderstand fundraising and explains, “There is a whole culture that believes you have to sit in front of someone and ask for a large donation. When you see, feel, breathe, and share the mission, you don’t ask people to help; they ask you how they can help.” With this guidance and support, the CDC board is messaging its mission, growing relationships, and raising donations.”

This initiative has served as a powerful call to action, resulting in 100% board giving. As a result of a challenge issued by CDC’s lead donor, these funds will be going toward the endowment match to sustain operations. “Forward thinking and smart,” says Dee Dee, “If all lead donors embraced this philosophy in the not-for-profit world, it would make a tremendous difference. Our donor has helped us create our next steps to serve patients and sustain our mission and is leading us on a path for future sustainability.”

When considering readying a board for substantial fundraising for the first time, Bruce has learned that surprises can be good. “We’ve given the board all the arrows in their quivers, and we’ve gotten good results. The people who step up, the ones that you had no idea were there, they surprise you for good.”

Exciting Challenges Lie Ahead

When CDC considers streamlined business efficiencies and even higher levels of client services, it turns toward technology. Theresa shares that “a 3D printer will allow us to do dentures in one in-house appointment, utilizing $25 for materials instead of $300 or $400.” The CDC team continues to identify needs, and its board is supportive as it moves toward expanding its mission. “We’ve grown from emergency care to comprehensive care,” Theresa says.

Dee Dee and Theresa can exhale because Bruce helped them develop a team and a Culture of Caring that will be responsive to the needs of our community for many years. In terms of expanding that culture, CDC is in good company when considering its partners, because no organization can achieve much alone. Early collaborations made a huge impact. “If you think back to the clinic’s start, Clearwater Police Chief Tony Holloway said he had a building right off of MLK, and the police department only used half of it. The city charged us only $1 per year for rent,” says Bruce.

Over the years, support continued with Police Chief Dan Slaughter and now with Police Chief Eric Gandy. Local elected officials are learning more about the services, with Representative Kim Berfield taking the time to meet in person and learn about CDC’s impact. Champions surround us; we just have to share our story and give them the chance to support us.

Theresa offered this forward-thinking statement: “In charting the course of CDC’s future, we are committed to integrating cutting-edge technology into every aspect of our operations. From pioneering oral health education initiatives to fostering meaningful partnerships and mobilizing volunteers, we aim to redefine the standard of care. Together, with innovation as our compass, we will expand access to quality dental services, empower individuals through education, and cultivate lasting wellness in our community.”

PCF extends its heartfelt gratitude to the CDC team for its Culture of Caring and congratulates the CDC Board of Directors on a job well done! Your dedication is instrumental in our community’s success, and we are truly grateful for your continued commitment. For more information regarding CDC’s capital campaign please visit communitydtlclinic.org/capital-campaign.