WEST ALLIS, WIS., July 19, 2006 – The Wisconsin Dental Foundation, which is largely supported by individual member dentists of the Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA), is awarding $8,000 in scholarships to 16 dental hygiene students enrolled in state technical colleges who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need. Recipients of this year’s $500 scholarships and their hometowns include: “I am able to expand my educational opportunities,” wrote Butte des Morts’ Knurowski. “I will be able to purchase necessary supplies needed for the program, such as new instruments and national board costs.” In addition to these dental hygiene scholarships, the foundation awarded $46,801 in grants to 18 oral health programs across the state earlier this year. The foundation also administers the Nicolas Weber and Tom Laur Scholarship Funds. Both were established to annually benefit Marquette University School of Dentistry students whose character and professional traits reflect those of the funds’ namesakes. “Our mission is to help make a difference in the lives of many by supporting the dental care needs of our communities and the current and future needs of the dental profession,” says Dr. Paul Oberbreckling, foundation president. The Wisconsin Dental Foundation also oversees the Donated Dental Services program, which provides free, comprehensive oral health services to state residents who don’t qualify for government assistance programs and cannot afford dental care, because a permanent disability, chronic illness or advanced age restricts their income-earning capability. WI DENTAL FOUNDATION AWARDS HYGIENE SCHOLARSHIPS – 2 Individual citizens and other organizations are invited to join WDA dentists in helping the foundation continue its oral health care mission through direct monetary donations, memorials, gifts in honor of loved ones and special life events, gifts of stock, life insurance or other assets and by remembering the foundation in their wills. Donations of products and services to the foundation’s annual raffle and silent auction are also appreciated. For more information on how to donate to the Wisconsin Dental Foundation, call 800-364-7646 or send e-mail to hwillette@wda.org. The Wisconsin Dental Foundation is a charitable, affiliated organization of the Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA). A qualified, tax-exempt corporation, the foundation provides scholarships to dental and dental hygiene students who attend accredited schools in Wisconsin and financial support to efforts providing dental care to the underserved and other philanthropic oral health endeavors. The foundation also administers the Donated Dental Services program. Established in 1870, the WDA is headquartered in West Allis. With more than 2,900 members statewide, the WDA represents the vast majority of practicing dentists in Wisconsin. Its members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. The WDA is one of 53 constituent (state-territorial) dental societies of the American Dental Association – the largest and oldest national dental association in the world. For more information on the WDA or the Wisconsin Dental Foundation, call 414-276-4520 or visit
